Vasistha is also called Vasisth, Vasista, Vashisth, Vasistha and Vashishtha. He is also called a Prajapati and one of the seven great Rishis. Sage Vasistha was created at the beginning of creation by Lord Brahma. He used his power of determination and thought to create Vasistha. In the Suryavanshi Ikshvaku clan, Sage Vasisthha has been an official priest. Divine Yagnas were performed by him for many dynasty kings like Raghu, Ikshavaku, Dashrath, Mandhata, Aja and Bhagiratha.
Brahma had appointed Vasistha as priest of the Suryavanshi Ikshwaku clan but he was only interested in immersing himself in saintly devotion and not keen in performing duties of a priest. He wanted to become like Sanat Kumar, the elder brother who had also indulged himself in saintly devotion. Lord Brahma explained to him that it would Vasishtha’s honor to be preceptor when the Lord of the World would be incarnating in the form of a human. Vasistha also learnt from Brahma about his significance of being the Kulpurohit of the solar dynasty of the Suryavanshis.
Once, Vasistha was requested by King Nimi, the son of Ikshavaku to conduct a fir sacrifice (Yagna) for him. However Vasishtha informed Nimi that he would have to wait as he had already promised Indra that he would perform his Yagna. Nimi couldn’t wait and invited, Gautama, Bhrigu and other sages. Vasistha didn’t arrive so as per Nimi’s request, Gautama performed the Yagna. When Vasistha arrived he saw the Yagna was completed and in anger cursed Nimi that he would lose his body. Nimi too cursed him the same. Nimi and Vasistha both lost their physical bodies with the mutual cursing. Nimi was gifted a new body from Brahma but said the he (Brahma) would reside in the eyelids of all beings in bodiless form. Vasistha was later granted a new body from the seed of Mitravaruna.
