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Other names: Aurvaa, Orva, Aorva

In the ancient times, in the lineage of Maharshi Bhrigu was born a famous saint named Aurva. Aurva Rishi played an important role in the descent of Devi Ganga on to the earth. Aurva Muni was very learned, far sighted and had great knowledge of divine arms. King Sagar who was the forefather of Bhagirath (who brought Ganga on to the earth) was educated by Maharshi Aurva.

King Sagar was the son of Suryavanshi King Bahuk. King Bahuk’s wife gave birth to a son who was born with Gar (poison). He was therefore known as Sagar (with poison). The story behind the birth of Sagar with poison was that his mother was given poison when she was pregnant by other wives of Bahuk. After losing everything in war, Bahuk went away to jungle with his pregnant wife. Later, he died in the jungle. Bahuk’s wife also wanted to burn herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. Just then Aurva Rishi stopped her and brought her to his ashram. Sagar was born there along with the poison given to his mother. Aurva Rishi suppressed the effect of poison, named the child Sagar and gave him the knowledge of Shastras. Sagar fought with Haideya lineage people and Taaljangh Kshatriyas with the help of Agneya (fire emitting missile) and Divyaastra (celestial weapon) and got back his kingdom. He organized Ashwamedh Yagya and became a king who conquered the whole world. Sagar had two wives – Keshini and Sumati. Both of them wanted Maharshi Aurva to bless them for a son. Aurva blessed them with a boon – one queen will have sixty thousand sons and the other will have just one son who will help carry forward the lineage. He asked them to make a choice each. One of them accepted the boon of sixty thousand sons and the other one accepted the boon of one son who will keep up the lineage. Aurva Muni blessed them saying, “be it so”.

Later, one of the queens gave birth to Panchjan. After many generations following Panchjan, Bhagirath was born. Second queen created a dry gourd pot filled with seeds. Out of these seeds were born the sixty thousand sons of King Sagar who were burnt to ash due to the anger of Kapil muni. For the salvation of his forefathers, Bhagirath observed penance and got the fame of bringing down Ganga on to earth.

The story of sixty thousand sons of Sagar born with the boon of Aurva muni who were reduced to ashes is the main reason for Ganga coming on to earth. That is why the role of Aurva muni is considered very important for descent of Ganga on to earth.