Śunaḥśepa
mythological figure · 3 works · 4 mentions · 7 anchored passages
in the texts
Rigveda
The sage bound to three sacrificial posts who called upon Varuṇa for release, a legendary episode of captivity and divine deliverance.
He whom Śunaḥśepa called when bound — may that King Varuṇa release us.
For Śunaḥśepa called out when seized, when bound to three posts, upon the son of Aditi.
Even Śunaḥśepa, bound to the thousand-post yūpa, was released — for he prayed.
Atharvaveda (Paippalāda)
Legendary figure from the Śunaḥśepa narrative, invoked as a precedent for the Indra-heap offering.
That which Śunaḥśepa carried, that which Indra and Bṛhaspati carried — that the ṛṣis have made auspicious for us, a pleasant thing for our living.
Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa
The middle son of Ṛcīka, sold by his father to Ambarīṣa as a sacrificial substitute and saved from death by Viśvāmitra's hymns and Indra's grace.
For you are the protector of all, O best of sages;
I consider the middle son sold — O king, take me away.
O gentle one, O bull among sages, you ought to protect me through righteousness.