ABSTRACT

Sage Gargya was the son of Shini and grandson of sage Garga. In Kaushitaki Brahman Upanishada, sage Gargya is said to be the son of rishi Balaka. He is said to be the resident of ancient Kekay or Ushinara region (region between river Beas and Sindhu somewhere around Sialkot in modern day Pakistan in between ancient Madra and Kekaya state). He got shelter in the court of Kekay king Yuddhajita. Once, Brahma-rishi Gargya conveyed the message of king Yuddhajeet to lord Rama to attacks the bordering state of Gandharvas (modern Afaganistan). Sage Gargya successfully pursued King Rama to do that. Accordingly, King Rama of Ayodhya sent his troops under the leadership of prince Taksha and Pushkala and defeated the Gandharvas (Afgan rulers). Sage Gargya despite being Kshatriya became the initiator of Brahmin lineage called ‘Garg gotra’ As per Chhandogya Upanishada, the name of son of Gargya was Balaki who interacted with Kashi king Ajatshatru regarding Brahma-gyana. As per Vishnu Purana, Gargya was the disciple of sage Bhashkala in Rigvedic branch. As per Mahabharata, sage Gargya was expert in the history of Devarshis (rishis of Gods). As per Kashyap Samhita, sage Gargya had interactions with sage Kashyapa, sage Punarvasu and sage Bhela regarding the application of Basti therapy (enema). Sage Gargya is of the view that Basti (enema) can be given to the new born also. Brahma-rishi Gargya was among the 12 disciples of the Kashi king Dhanwantari Divodasa along with his younger brother Sushruta. Hence, it can be inferred that sage Galava also constructed his treatise ‘Gargya Tantra’ on surgical practices but it had lost in the course of the time. Brahma-rishi Gargya was present in the conclave of rishis conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas, some 7000 years ago. He is also quoted by king Todarmala in context to some anatomical considerations. Keywords: Gargya, Gandharvas