Vishvamitra
Explanation
The Rig Veda is organized into ten Mandalas (books), each primarily attributed to specific priestly families or sages. The Third Mandala is largely ascribed to the family of Sage Vishvamitra.
Detailed Analysis
The hymn in question is a famous dialogue found in the Third Mandala (RV 3.33). It records a conversation between Sage Vishvamitra and two rivers, Vipasha (Beas) and Shutudri (Sutlej).
- Context: The sage, traveling with chariots and carts, requests the swelling rivers to lower their waters to allow a safe crossing. The rivers eventually accede to his prayers.
- Significance: This hymn provides crucial evidence regarding the geographical location of the Early Vedic Aryans and their movement across the Punjab region.
Regarding other options:
- Vashistha: He is the principal seer of the Seventh Mandala. He is known for his rivalry with Vishvamitra and his association with the Battle of the Ten Kings (Dasarajna).
- Bharadwaja: He is the principal seer of the Sixth Mandala.
- Agastya: He is associated with hymns in the First Mandala and is traditionally linked to the spread of Vedic culture to the south, but is not the author of the Beas-Sutlej dialogue.
Key Takeaway: The dialogue hymn addressing the rivers Vipasha (Beas) and Shutudri (Sutlej) is attributed to Sage Vishvamitra, the composer of the Third Mandala and the Gayatri Mantra.