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Shunahshepa

Devarata

The boy rescued from sacrifice by Vishwamitra, who adopted him.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Valmiki Ramayana, with other tellings (Ramcharitmanas (Tulsidas), Regional and folk traditions) noted where relevant.

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Introduction

Shunahshepa is a boy who was to be sacrificed at the sacrifice of King Ambarisha, and was saved by the sage Vishwamitra, who adopted him as his eldest son and named him Devarata.

This article primarily follows the Valmiki Ramayana. Where a well-known detail comes from a later retelling or tradition, the article identifies it.

The story

King Ambarisha's sacrificial animal escaped, and he needed a human substitute. He bought Shunahshepa from his father. As he was about to be sacrificed, Shunahshepa prayed to the gods with a mantra taught by Vishwamitra, and was released.

Vishwamitra's son

Vishwamitra adopted him. This story is told in the Bala Kanda and in the Aitareya Brahmana.

Sources

  1. Aitareya Brahmana (primary text)
  2. Valmiki Ramayana, Balakanda (primary text) — https://www.valmikiramayan.net/
  3. The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India (scholarly) — https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691206868/the-ramayana-of-valmiki

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.