Saptha rishi - Pulaha Rishi

Saptha rishi - Pulaha Rishi 

A study of the famous Rishis and Munis of Vedic literature.

Pulaha Rishi is another of the manasa-putra Prajapatis, and a Saptarishi from the first Manvantara. He was born from the navel of Lord Brahma. He was burned due to a curse made by Lord Shiva, then was born again in Vaivasvata Manvantara, this time from Agni's hair.

During his birth in the first Manvantara, Rishi Pulaha was married to another of Daksha's daughters, Kshama. Together they had three sons, Kardama, Kanakapeetha and Urvarivat, and a daughter named Peevari.

There are numerous other mentions of his wives, although we don't know which were co-wives, and which were wives during other births.

According to Bhagavat Purana Pulaha Rishi was also married to Gati, a daughter of Kardama and Devahuthi. The two had three sons – Karmasreshtta, Vareeyaamsu and Sahishnu. Gathi's name is sometimes stated as 'Trinity', and their childrens' names as Kardam, Arvaveera and Sahishnu. In either case, this Kardama is not the same as Kardama Rishi, who manifested from Brahma's shadow.

And there are several other names of Rishi Pulaha's wives: Sandhya, Mrugi, Mrugamanda, Haribhadra, Iravati, Kapishaa, Danshtra, Risha, Tirya, Shweta, Sarama and Surasa. One of his asramas was at Haridwar.

As mentioned in our last segment, Pulaha is named among the principal Saptarishis, or those most often listed from the first Manvantara: Bhrigu, Angiras, Marici, Atri, Vasistha, Pulastya, Pulaha and Kratu. The last three of these Rishis are said to have not produced true Brahmin stock. Krathu gave birth to pygmy sons, Pulastya was the progenitor of the Raksasas, Vanaras, Kinnaras and Yaksas, and Pulaha was progenitor of the Kimpurusas, Pisacas, goblins, lions, tigers and other animals. As Pulaha Rishi produced non-human sons like deer, lion, tiger, etc., his sons were not well-behaved therefore he adopted Agastya's son, Drudhasya.

Lord Balarama once visited Pulaha Rishi's asrama, as stated in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.79:

anu-srotena sarayum
prayagam upagamya sah
snatva santarpya devadin
jagama pulahasramam

The Lord followed the course of the Sarayu until He came to Prayaga, where He bathed and then performed rituals to propitiate the devas and other living beings. Next He went to the asrama of Pulaha Rishi.

In his Purport, Srila Prabhupada mentions that this Pulahasrama is also known as Hari-kshetra