In Hindu traditions, one of the most revered sages is Sage Vashishtha. Vashishtha is a Vedic sage and one of the seven great Sages, the Saptarishis. He is one of the earliest makers of ancient verses. The seventh book of the Rigveda has been authored by Vashsishtha. In the Rigveda, Vashishtha dedicated many hymns to Indra, Agni and various other gods. One of the Rigvedic verse states that Vashishtha teaches that Varuna and Indra, the 2 Vedic deities are equally important and complimentary as while one sustains the good through socio-ethical laws during peace, the other deity eliminates the evil by the defeat of enemies in battles.
It is believed that his Rigvedic hymns are in many ways influential as well as intriguing. He focuses that in life, means are as vital as ends and encourages optimism, truthfulness, sharing happiness and prosperity with other people in society, devotion and sharing of cultural values as well. Vashishtha believed in looking at the highest and not at things that are less than highest, practicing Dharma or righteousness, speaking only the truth, looking at what is far away and not what is close at hand.
In ancient and medieval era, a number of treatises have been attributed to him or named after him, including Vashishtha Samhita (a yoga text during medieval era), Vashishtha Dharmasutra (ancient independent text), the Agni Purana and Vishnu Purana. Vashishtha is known well as a teacher of the Ikshvaku kings clan, a preceptor of Manu, priest and progenitor of Kshatriyas. The Vashishtha Temple is dedicated in his name in Vashisht village in Himachal Pradesh.
