BRAHMARISHI VISHWAMITRA
Sage Vishwamitra is a brahmarishi, the most highly regarded rishis, a sage who has attained enlightenment and became a Jivanmukta (enlightened liberation) by completely understanding the meaning of Brahman (supreme consciousness, highest Universal Principle, ultimate reality, ‘God’). He is one of the most venerated rishis or sages of ancient India. He is also credited as the ‘author’ of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra. Vishwamitra was a king in ancient India, called Kaushika. He was a great King and a great warrior. Vishwamitra was the only brahmarishi who rose to the position out of pure tapas (ascetic practice). Originally a kshatriya, he rose by pure merit to a Brahmarishi. He is the ‘author’ of the Gayatri Mantra – “Om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat” – Meaning - "Let us meditate on Isvara(Brahman) and His Glory who has created the Universe, who is fit to be worshipped, who is the remover of all sins and ignorance. May he enlighten our intellect. " Gayatri Mantra is also called Vedamata or mother of the four vedas.