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→In Manvantaras
Saptarshis (Samskrit : सप्तर्षयः) refer to the group of seven well-known rshis who have a significant role in Sanatana Dharma as propagators of knowledge. They are also the preceptors of rajas and maharajas belonging to great lineages such as Surya (Ikshvaku). Vashishta was the Kulaguru to Ikshvaku dynasty to which Raja Rama belonged. Some of these rshis are recognized as the Brahma manasaputras.
Saptarshis (Samskrit : सप्तर्षयः) refer to the group of seven well-known rshis who have a significant role in Sanatana Dharma as propagators of knowledge. They are also the preceptors of rajas and maharajas belonging to great lineages such as Surya (Ikshvaku). Vashishta was the Kulaguru to Ikshvaku dynasty to which Raja Rama belonged. Some of these rshis are recognized as the Brahma manasaputras. We see that the list of Saptarshis is highly diverse and varied in different texts and Puranas.
== In Vedas ==
== In Vedas ==
Earliest mention of Saptarshis is seen in mantras of samhita section Rigveda where they are revered as our forefathers. <blockquote>अस्माकमत्र पितरस्त आसन्सप्त ऋषयो दौर्गहे बध्यमाने । (Rig. Veda. 4.42.8)<ref>Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%A8 Mandala 4 Sukta 42])</ref></blockquote>Other Rigveda references which mention about Saptarshis include Mandala 9, Sukta 67 and 107. For Sukta 67 the following is mentioned as the names of Saptarshis as mantra drashtas <blockquote>ऋषयः - सप्तर्षयः(१-३ भरद्वाजो बार्हस्पत्यः, ४-६ कश्यपो मारीचः, ७-९ गोतमो राहूगणः, १०-१२ अत्रिःर्भौमः, १३-१५ विश्वामित्रो गाथिनः, १६-१८ जमदग्निर्भार्गवः, १९-२१ मैत्रावरुणिर्वासिष्ठः, २२-३२ पवित्र आङ्गिरसो वा वसिष्ठो वा उभौ वा)</blockquote>Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda Brahmanas and Upanishads also mention about Saptarshis and gives the names of the rshis as listed in the table below. For example the list of the Seven Rshis is given in Shatapata Brahmana as follows <blockquote>इमावेव गोतमभरद्वाजौ। अयमेव गोतमोऽयं भरद्वाज इमावेव विश्वामित्रजमदग्नी अयमेव विश्वामित्रोऽयं जमदग्निरिमावेव वसिष्ठकश्यपावयमेव वसिष्ठोऽयं कश्यपो वागेवात्रिर्वाचा ह्यन्नमद्यतेऽत्तिर्ह वै नामैतद्यदत्रिरिति सर्वस्यात्ता भवति सर्वमस्यान्नम्भवति य एवं वेद - १४.५.२.[६] (Shata. Brah. 14.5.2.6)</blockquote>
Earliest mention of Saptarshis is seen in mantras of samhita section Rigveda where they are revered as our forefathers. <blockquote>अस्माकमत्र पितरस्त आसन्सप्त ऋषयो दौर्गहे बध्यमाने । (Rig. Veda. 4.42.8)<ref>Rig Veda ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%AA.%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%A8 Mandala 4 Sukta 42])</ref></blockquote>Other Rigveda references which mention about Saptarshis include Mandala 9, Sukta 67 and 107. For Sukta 67 the following is mentioned as the names of Saptarshis as mantra drashtas <blockquote>ऋषयः - सप्तर्षयः(१-३ भरद्वाजो बार्हस्पत्यः, ४-६ कश्यपो मारीचः, ७-९ गोतमो राहूगणः, १०-१२ अत्रिःर्भौमः, १३-१५ विश्वामित्रो गाथिनः, १६-१८ जमदग्निर्भार्गवः, १९-२१ मैत्रावरुणिर्वासिष्ठः, २२-३२ पवित्र आङ्गिरसो वा वसिष्ठो वा उभौ वा)</blockquote>Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda Brahmanas and Upanishads also mention about Saptarshis and gives the names of the rshis as listed in the table below. For example the list of the Seven Rshis is given in Shatapata Brahmana as follows <blockquote>इमावेव गोतमभरद्वाजौ। अयमेव गोतमोऽयं भरद्वाज इमावेव विश्वामित्रजमदग्नी अयमेव विश्वामित्रोऽयं जमदग्निरिमावेव वसिष्ठकश्यपावयमेव वसिष्ठोऽयं कश्यपो वागेवात्रिर्वाचा ह्यन्नमद्यतेऽत्तिर्ह वै नामैतद्यदत्रिरिति सर्वस्यात्ता भवति सर्वमस्यान्नम्भवति य एवं वेद - १४.५.२.[६] (Shata. Brah. 14.5.2.6)</blockquote>
== In Puranas and Itihasa ==
== In Puranas and Itihasa ==
'''Vishnu And Agni Purana, and Mahabharata''' lists the Saptarshis as follows <blockquote>वशिष्ठः काश्यपोथात्रिर्जमदग्निः सगौतमः । विश्वामित्रभरद्वाजौ सप्त सप्तर्षयोऽभवन् ॥ ३,१.३२ ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.1.32)<ref>Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Amsha 3 Adhyaya 32])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>वशिष्ठः काश्यपोऽथात्रिर्जमदग्निः सगोतमः । विश्वामित्रभरद्वाजौ मुनयः सप्त साम्प्रतं ॥१५०.००९ (Agni. Pura. 150.9)<ref>Agni Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 150])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>कश्यपोऽत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः। विश्वामित्रो जमदग्निः साध्वी चैवाप्यरुन्धती॥ (Maha. 13.93.21)</blockquote>Vasishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni along with Gautama, Vishvamitra and Bharadvaja became the sapta rshi's.
'''Vishnu And Agni Purana, and Mahabharata''' lists the Saptarshis as follows <blockquote>वशिष्ठः काश्यपोथात्रिर्जमदग्निः सगौतमः । विश्वामित्रभरद्वाजौ सप्त सप्तर्षयोऽभवन् ॥ ३,१.३२ ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.1.32)<ref>Vishnu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7 Amsha 3 Adhyaya 32])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>वशिष्ठः काश्यपोऽथात्रिर्जमदग्निः सगोतमः । विश्वामित्रभरद्वाजौ मुनयः सप्त साम्प्रतं ॥१५०.००९ (Agni. Pura. 150.9)<ref>Agni Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A6 Adhyaya 150])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>कश्यपोऽत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः। विश्वामित्रो जमदग्निः साध्वी चैवाप्यरुन्धती॥ (Maha. 13.93.21)</blockquote>Vasishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni along with Gautama, Vishvamitra and Bharadvaja became the sapta rshi's. Manvantaras are not mentioned in this context.
== In Manvantaras ==
The saptarshis in each Manvantara are different. While some are said to be Brahmamanasa putras, father of saptarshis in each Manu's age will be different. The following table summarizes the Manus and Saptarshis according to Markandeya Purana.<ref name=":1" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Manvantaras and Saptarshis as given in Shabdakalpadhruma Mostly from Markandeya Purana<ref>Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%8B See Under Word ऋषिः])</ref>
|+Manvantaras and Saptarshis as given in Shabdakalpadhruma Mostly from Markandeya Purana<ref name=":1">Shabdakalpadhruma ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%8B See Under Word ऋषिः])</ref>
!Number
!Number
!Name of Manvantara
!Name of Manvantara
|-
|-
|1
|1
|Svayambhuva Manu
|स्वायम्भुवमनुः ॥ Svayambhuva Manu
|स्वायम्भुवमन्वन्तरे मरीचिः । अत्रिः । अङ्गिराः । पुलस्त्यः । पुलहः । क्रतुः । वशिष्ठः ।
|स्वायम्भुवमन्वन्तरे मरीचिः । अत्रिः । अङ्गिराः । पुलस्त्यः । पुलहः । क्रतुः । वशिष्ठः ।
Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vashishta
Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vashishta
|-
|-
|2
|2
|Svarochisha Manu
|स्वारोचिषमनुः॥ Svarochisha Manu
|स्वारोचिषे उर्जस्तम्भादयः ।
|स्वारोचिषे उर्जस्तम्भादयः ।
Urja, Stambha, Prańa, Dattoli, Rishabha, Nischara, and Arvavira as per Markandeya Purana.
Urja, Stambha, Prańa, Dattoli, Rishabha, Nischara, and Arvavira as per Markandeya Purana.
|-
|-
|3
|3
|Uttama Manu
|उत्तममनुः ॥ Uttama Manu (Auttami)
|उत्तमे वशिष्ठसुताः प्रमदादयः ।
|उत्तमे वशिष्ठसुताः प्रमदादयः ।
|-
|-
|4
|4
|Tamasa Manu
|तामसमनुः ॥ Tamasa Manu
|तामसे ज्योतिर्धामादयः ।
|तामसे ज्योतिर्धामादयः ।
Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Balaka, and Pivara.
Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Balaka, and Pivara.
|-
|-
|5
|5
|Raivata Manu
|रैवतमनुः ॥ Raivata Manu
|रैवते हिरण्यरोमा वेदशिरा ऊर्द्ध्वबाहुरित्यादयः ।
|रैवते हिरण्यरोमा वेदशिरा ऊर्द्ध्वबाहुरित्यादयः ।
Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni.
Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni.
|-
|-
|6
|6
|Chakshusha Manu
|चाक्षषमनुः ॥ Chakshusha Manu
|चाक्षषे हर्य्यश्मद्वीरकादयः ।
|चाक्षषे हर्य्यश्मद्वीरकादयः ।
Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu.
Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu.
|-
|-
|7
|7
|Vaivasvata Manu
|वैवस्वतमनुः ॥ Vaivasvata Manu or Sraddhadeva
|वैवस्वताख्यवर्त्तमानमन्वन्तरे कश्यपः । अत्रिः । वशिष्ठः । विश्वामित्रः । गौतमः । जमदग्निः । भरद्वाजः ॥
|वैवस्वताख्यवर्त्तमानमन्वन्तरे कश्यपः । अत्रिः । वशिष्ठः । विश्वामित्रः । गौतमः । जमदग्निः । भरद्वाजः ॥
|-
|-
|8
|8
|Savarni Manu
|सावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Savarni Manu
|सावर्णिके गालवः । दीप्तिमान् । परशुरामः । अश्वत्थामा । कृपः । ऋष्यशृङ्गः । व्यासः ।
|सावर्णिके गालवः । दीप्तिमान् । परशुरामः । अश्वत्थामा । कृपः । ऋष्यशृङ्गः । व्यासः ।
|-
|-
|9
|9
|Daksha Savarni Manu
|दक्षसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Daksha Savarni Manu
|दक्षसावर्णिके द्युतिमदाद्याः ।
|दक्षसावर्णिके द्युतिमदाद्याः ।
|-
|-
|10
|10
|Brahma Savarni Manu
|ब्रह्मसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Brahma Savarni Manu
|ब्रह्मसावर्णिके हविष्मत्सुकृतसत्यजयमूर्त्त्याद्याः ।
|ब्रह्मसावर्णिके हविष्मत्सुकृतसत्यजयमूर्त्त्याद्याः ।
|-
|-
|11
|11
|Dharma Savarni Manu
|धर्म्मसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Dharma Savarni Manu
|धर्म्मसावर्णिके अरुणादयः ।
|धर्म्मसावर्णिके अरुणादयः ।
|-
|-
|12
|12
|Rudra Savarni Manu
|रुद्रसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Rudra Savarni Manu
|रुद्रसावर्णिके तपोमूर्त्त्यादयः ।
|रुद्रसावर्णिके तपोमूर्त्त्यादयः ।
|-
|-
|13
|13
|Deva Savarni Manu (Rouchya)
|देवसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Deva Savarni Manu (Rouchya)
|देवसावर्णिके निर्म्मोहतत्त्वदर्श्याद्याः । मार्कण्डेयपुराणमते अयं त्रयोदशमनुः रौच्याख्ययाभिहितः ।
|देवसावर्णिके निर्म्मोहतत्त्वदर्श्याद्याः । मार्कण्डेयपुराणमते अयं त्रयोदशमनुः रौच्याख्ययाभिहितः ।
Nirmoha, Tatvadersi, Nishprakampa, Nirutmukha, Dhyutiman, Avyaya and Sutapas
Nirmoha, Tatvadersi, Nishprakampa, Nirutmukha, Dhyutiman, Avyaya and Sutapas
|-
|-
|14
|14
|Indra Savarni or Bhaitya
|इन्द्रसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Indra Savarni or Bhoutya (भौत्यः)
|इन्द्रसावर्णिके अग्निबाहुशुचिशुद्धमागधाद्याः सप्तर्षयः । मार्कण्डेयपुराणमतेऽयं भौत्याख्ययाभिहितः ।
|इन्द्रसावर्णिके अग्निबाहुशुचिशुद्धमागधाद्याः सप्तर्षयः । मार्कण्डेयपुराणमतेऽयं भौत्याख्ययाभिहितः ।
Agnidhra, Agnibahu, Suchi, Yukta, Madhava, Sukra, Ajita
Agnidhra, Agnibahu, Suchi, Yukta, Madhava, Sukra, Ajita. According to Markandeya Purana this Manu is called by the name Bhoutya.
|यथा तत्रैव ९९ । १ ।
|यथा तत्रैव ९९ । १ ।
== In Astronomy ==
== In Astronomy ==
The Ursa Major constellation in the sky is called Saptarshi mandala according to the astronomical terminology. Astronomical texts describe the Saptarshis as the representatives of Brahma serving for a period of Manvantara and dissolving at the time of Pralaya.<blockquote>सप्तर्षि मण्डलं नित्यं तस्याधस्तात्प्रकीर्तितम् ।। मरीचिश्च वसिष्ठश्च अङ्गिराश्चात्रिरेव च ।। २२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>पुलस्त्यः पुलहश्चैव क्रतुस्सप्तर्षयोऽमलाः ।। वशिष्ठमाश्रिता साध्वी तेषाम्मध्यादरुन्धती ।। २३ ।। (Vish. Dhar. 1.106.22-23)<ref>Vishnudharmottara Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/_%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AC Kanda 1 Adhyaya 106])</ref></blockquote>Vishnudharmottara Purana and Brihat Samhita (Page no 157 Adhyaya 13 Slokas 5-10)<ref name=":0">Sastri, Subrahmanya, V. and Bhat, Ramakrishna, M., (1946) ''Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita with an English Translation and Notes.'' Bangalore : M.B. D. Printing Press</ref> gives the Seven Rshis' names as Marichi, Vasishta, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu. Arundhati is associated with Vasishta. Slokas 5 and 6 of Brihat Samhita goes as follows : Maharshi Marichi is situated in the east, to the west of him is Vasishta; to his west is Angiras, and to the west of Angiras is situated Atri in whose neighborhood can be seen Pulastya. Next to him are in order Pulaha and Kratu. Arundhati, the paragon of virtue, is following Vasishta. The position of the seven seers is given along with their positioning in the lunar mansion when Raja Yudhisthira was ruling over the earth.<ref name=":0" />
The Ursa Major constellation in the sky is called Saptarshi mandala according to the astronomical terminology. Astronomical texts describe the Saptarshis as the representatives of Brahma serving for a period of [[Manvantaras (मन्वन्तराणि)|Manvantara]] and dissolving at the time of Pralaya.<blockquote>सप्तर्षि मण्डलं नित्यं तस्याधस्तात्प्रकीर्तितम् ।। मरीचिश्च वसिष्ठश्च अङ्गिराश्चात्रिरेव च ।। २२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>पुलस्त्यः पुलहश्चैव क्रतुस्सप्तर्षयोऽमलाः ।। वशिष्ठमाश्रिता साध्वी तेषाम्मध्यादरुन्धती ।। २३ ।। (Vish. Dhar. 1.106.22-23)<ref>Vishnudharmottara Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/_%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AC Kanda 1 Adhyaya 106])</ref></blockquote>Vishnudharmottara Purana and Brihat Samhita (Page no 157 Adhyaya 13 Slokas 5-10)<ref name=":0">Sastri, Subrahmanya, V. and Bhat, Ramakrishna, M., (1946) ''Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita with an English Translation and Notes.'' Bangalore : M.B. D. Printing Press</ref> gives the Seven Rshis' names as Marichi, Vasishta, Angiras, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu. Arundhati is associated with Vasishta. Slokas 5 and 6 of Brihat Samhita goes as follows : Maharshi Marichi is situated in the east, to the west of him is Vasishta; to his west is Angiras, and to the west of Angiras is situated Atri in whose neighborhood can be seen Pulastya. Next to him are in order Pulaha and Kratu. Arundhati, the paragon of virtue, is following Vasishta. The position of the seven seers is given along with their positioning in the lunar mansion of Magha is when Raja Yudhisthira was ruling over the earth.<ref name=":0" />
== Role of Saptarshis ==
An important aspect of this group of Seven Rshis is that they are the torch bearers of knowledge of the Vedas and practice Dharma in every Manvantara setting an example for the people to follow.
Hiranyakasipu, an asura, stole the Vedas and hid them in the bottom of the ocean, while the worlds were submerged in water. Mahavishnu in order to protect the Vedas takes the form of a fish (Matsya avatara) and restores them. At that time the Saptarshis escape the deluge in a boat by anchoring it to the Himalayan mountain, which came to be named as Naubandhana (the one where the boat was tied). (Maha. Vana. Parva. 187.50)
[[Category:Rishis]]
[[Category:Rishis]]
== Mahabharata Story ==
== In Mahabharata Story ==
In the Mahabharata Anusashana Parva there is an anecdote of the Saptarshis encountering the Yatudhani named Krtya (an asura) with an intention of killing them but first asking them to explain the meaning of their names. Sri. Nityananda Mishra has put together this anecdote and explains how the Saptarshi explain their names along with their esoteric meanings. The Saptarshi's seeking to pick the lotuses from the lake guarded by Yatudhani are allowed to do so only after explaining their names. The rshis sense the motive of Yatudhani and explain their names in an esoteric manner not understandable to the asura.
In the Mahabharata Anusashana Parva there is an anecdote of the Saptarshis encountering the Yatudhani named Krtya (an asura) with an intention of killing them but first asking them to explain the meaning of their names. Sri. Nityananda Mishra has put together this anecdote and explains how the Saptarshi explain their names along with their esoteric meanings. The Saptarshi's seeking to pick the lotuses from the lake guarded by Yatudhani are allowed to do so only after explaining their names. The rshis sense the motive of Yatudhani and explain their names in an esoteric manner not understandable to the asura.