Brahmarshi Vishvamitra ( "
friend of the world"; ; ; ; ;
Thai:
Swamit;
Burmese:
Bodaw;
Javanese:
Wiswamitra,
Malay:Nila Purba) is one of the most venerated
rishis or sages of ancient times in
India. He is also credited as the author of most of
Mandala 3 of the
Rigveda, including the
Gayatri Mantra. The
Puranas mention that only 24 rishis since antiquity have understood the whole meaning of—and thus wielded the whole power of—the Gayatri Mantra. Vishvamitra is supposed to be the first, and
Yajnavalkya the last.
