In the epic Ramayana, Rishyasringa or Ekashringa is mentioned as a sage born with the horns of deer. He is the son of Rishi Vibhandak, descendent of Kashyapa. Rishyasringa is the son of celestial nymph Menaka. Again it is believed that Rishyasringa have been born of a doe and from the slight protrusion of his forehead.

Rishi Vibhandak, Rishyasringa`s father was enticed by the celestial dancer Menaka by order of Lord Indra, the king of gods. Lord Indra was frightened and afraid of the meditative powers gained out of penance by the Rishi Vibhandak. The power could prove fatal to the very existence of heavenly world.

With the union of Vibhandak and Menaka, Rishyasringa was born. Immediately after the child`s birth Menaka left the little boy, her husband and went back to heaven. After this incident Rishi Vibhandak hated the women folk. Rishyasringa was thus brought up in the forest with his father and saw no other human being. He never saw any women, and was not told of their existence. Rishyasringa had magical and miraculous powers.

After Rishyasringa becomes a young man, the kingdom of Anga suffers from drought and famine. The king, Romapada is told that this can only be alleviated by a Brahmin with the powers that come from observance of ideal chastity. In the kingdom the single man with this power was Rishyasringa. He came to the city carried out the required ceremonies. Regardless of the fear of the power and anger of Rishi Vibhandak, the king sends his beautiful daughter Shanta to introduce the boy into normal society. Rishyasringa uses his powers, the kingdom receives bountiful rains and Rishyasringa then marries the princess Shanta. Rishyasringa becomes aware of the women existence.

In the Ramayana, Rishyasringa or Ekashringa is said to be the chief priest when the king Dasaratha performed a Yajna to produce progeny. After the Yajna Rama, Bharata, and the twins Lakshmana and Shatrughna was born.