Vasishtha

Vasishta (Sanskrit: वसिष्ठ, IAST: Vasiṣṭha) is one of the oldest and most revered Vedic rishis or sages

He is one of the Saptarishis (seven great Rishis) of India

Vashistha is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda

Vashishtha and his family are mentioned in Rigvedic verse 10

167

4, other Rigvedic mandalas and in many Vedic texts

His ideas have been influential and he was called the first sage of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy by Adi Shankara

The Yoga Vasishtha, Vasishtha Samhita, as well as some versions of the Agni Purana and Vishnu Purana are attributed to him

He is the subject of many stories, such as him being in possession of the divine cow Kamadhenu and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners

He is famous in Hindu stories for his legendary conflicts with sage Vishvamitra

In the Ramayana, he was the family priest of the Raghu dynasty and teacher of Rama and his brothers