Gādhi, historically known as Gāthin, was the father of
Viśvāmitra. Gāthin Kauśika was a Rig Vedic
rishi
''Rishi'' () is a term for an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mentions in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "great yogis" or ...
and the author of two hymns in
Mandala 3
The third Mandala of the Rigveda has 62 hymns, mainly to Agni and Indra. It is one of the "family books" (mandalas 2-7), the oldest core of the Rigveda, which were composed in early Vedic period (1500 - 1000 BCE). Most hymns in this book are attrib ...
of the Rigveda. In later Hindu texts he is the king of Mahodayapuram, and also the father of Satyavatī, the wife of R̥cīka.
= Rigveda =
In the Rigveda Book 1 Hymn 10, it is said that Indra incarnated as the son of Kusika, who was Gaadhi's father. Worshipping Gaadhi is said to bring "Prolong our life anew, and cause the seer to win a thousand gifts".
= Mahabharat =
In the Shanti Parva, Chapter 49, of the Mahabharat scripture
Kuśika began tapas for a son who would be equal to Indra and could not be killed by others. Pleased with his tapas Indra voluntarily took birth as Kuśika’s son. Gaadhi was that son; in fact he was an incarnation or avatar of Indra. He was a great Kshatriya monarch before his son, Visvamitra.
= Shiva Purana
=
When the Visvedevas arrive at Kailash, Lord Shiva, requested by Lord Vishnu, performed his vedic rites among other rituals, where the greatest sages of the world gathered. Gaadhi was amongst them.
References
Rishis
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