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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). Vasishta 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 and their origin is highly diverse and varied in different texts and Puranas.

Saptarshis (Samskrit : सप्तर्षयः) refer to the group of seven well-known rshis who have a significant role in [[Sanatana Dharma (सनातनधर्मः)|Sanatana Dharma]] as propagators of knowledge. They are also the preceptors of rajas and maharajas belonging to great lineages such as Surya (Ikshvaku). [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|Vasishta]] 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 and their origin is highly diverse and varied in different texts and [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]].

== Creation of Saptarshis ==

== Creation of Saptarshis ==

The creation of Saptarshis as explained in Brahmanda Purana is mentioned here. It should be noted that different versions about the origin of saptarshis are present. Mahabharata (Shanti Parva Adhyaya 208) mentions that the seven manasaputras of Brahma from whom the ten Prajapatis arose.<ref name=":4">Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''Mahabharata, Volume 5, Shanti Parva.'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press. ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata05_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n589/mode/1up Page no 4952])</ref> <blockquote>ब्रह्मणः सप्त वै पुत्रा महात्मानः स्वयम्भुवः॥ brahmaṇaḥ sapta vai putrā mahātmānaḥ svayambhuvaḥ॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.208.3)</blockquote><blockquote>मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः। वसिष्ठश्च महाभागः सदृशो वै स्वयम्भुवा॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.208.4) </blockquote><blockquote>marīciratryaṅgirasau pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ। vasiṣṭhaśca mahābhāgaḥ sadr̥śo vai svayambhuvā॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.208.4)</blockquote>Svayambhu Brahma had seven mahatmas as sons. They are Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasishta. They are also said to be as powerful as the Svayambhu Brahma.<ref name=":4" />

The creation of Saptarshis as explained in Brahmanda Purana is mentioned here. It should be noted that different versions about the origin of saptarshis are present. Mahabharata (Shanti Parva Adhyaya 208) mentions that the seven manasaputras of Brahma from whom the ten Prajapatis arose.<ref name=":4">Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''Mahabharata, Volume 5, Shanti Parva.'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press. ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata05_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n589/mode/1up Page no 4952])</ref> <blockquote>ब्रह्मणः सप्त वै पुत्रा महात्मानः स्वयम्भुवः॥ brahmaṇaḥ sapta vai putrā mahātmānaḥ svayambhuvaḥ॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.208.3)</blockquote><blockquote>मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः। वसिष्ठश्च महाभागः सदृशो वै स्वयम्भुवा॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.208.4) </blockquote><blockquote>marīciratryaṅgirasau pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ। vasiṣṭhaśca mahābhāgaḥ sadr̥śo vai svayambhuvā॥ (Maha. Shan. 12.208.4)</blockquote>Svayambhu Brahma had seven mahatmas as sons. They are Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasishta. They are also said to be as powerful as the Svayambhu Brahma.<ref name=":4" /> Brahmanda Purana mentions that the seven rshis created by Brahma (here actually eight brahmamanasa putras, are mentioned as seen in the sloka below instead of seven saptarshis) in Svayambhuva Manvantara were cursed by Shiva (at the time of Daksha yajna) were reborn in Chakshusha Manvantara as children of Pitamaha (Brahma) again. <blockquote>ब्रह्मणो जुह्वतः शुक्रमग्रौ पूर्वं प्रजेप्सया । ऋषयो जज्ञिरे दीर्घे द्वितीयमिति नः श्रुतम् ॥ २,१.२० ॥</blockquote><blockquote>brahmaṇo juhvataḥ śukramagrau pūrvaṁ prajepsayā । r̥ṣayo jajñire dīrghe dvitīyamiti naḥ śrutam ॥ 2,1.20 ॥</blockquote><blockquote>भृग्वङ्गिरा मरीचिश्च पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः । अत्रिश्चैव वसिष्ठश्च ह्यष्टौ ते ब्रह्मणः सुताः ॥ २,१.२१ ॥ (Brah. Pura. 2.1.20 - 21)<ref name=":3">Brahmanda Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%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 Madhyabhaga Adhyaya 1])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>bhr̥gvaṅgirā marīciśca pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ । atriścaiva vasiṣṭhaśca hyaṣṭau te brahmaṇaḥ sutāḥ ॥ 2,1.21 ॥</blockquote>The seers say - this has been heard by us that the seven rshis had their second birth, even as Brahma, with a desire of begetting children, was performing homa in the fire by means of his Shukra (semen). There were eight sons of Brahma - Bhrgu, [[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|Angiras]], [[Marichi (मरीचिः)|Marichi]], [[Pulastya (पुलस्त्यः)|Pulastya]], [[Pulaha (पुलहः)|Pulaha]], [[Kratu (क्रतु)|Kratu]] [[Atri (अत्रिः)|Atri]], and [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|Vasishta]].

At the first instance, Kavi (Bhrgu) came out of the flame, then came Angiras when shukra was deposited on the burning coals (angaras). Then the shukra was divided into six parts by Brahma and deposited into the fire by way of Homa. Marichi rose from there at the outset from the rays and in that Kratu (yajna) the rshi named Kratu was born. [[Atri (अत्रिः)|Atri]] maharshi was born saying "I am the third" hence he is named as Atri. The fourth was born with overspreading hairs, hence remembered as Pulastya, while the fifth had long hairs, hence called Pulaha. Born from among the Vasus, self controlled and himself the embodiment of Vasu (wealth), he was called Vasishta by the expounders of Vedas. (Brah. Pura. 2.1.34 to 47)<ref name=":3" /><ref>Tagare, G. V., (1958 First Edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart2/page/n8 The Brahmanda Purana, Part 2.]'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

 

At the first instance, Kavi (Bhrgu) came out of the flame, then came Angiras when shukra was deposited on the burning coals (angaras). Then the shukra was divided into six parts by Brahma and deposited into the fire by way of Homa. Marichi rose from there at the outset from the rays and in that Kratu (yajna) the rshi named Kratu was born. Atri maharshi was born saying "I am the third" hence he is named as Atri. The fourth was born with overspreading hairs, hence remembered as Pulastya, while the fifth had long hairs, hence called Pulaha. Born from among the Vasus, self controlled and himself the embodiment of Vasu (wealth), he was called Vasishta by the expounders of Vedas. (Brah. Pura. 2.1.34 to 47)<ref name=":3" /><ref>Tagare, G. V., (1958 First Edition) ''[https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart2/page/n8 The Brahmanda Purana, Part 2.]'' Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

== वेदेषु ॥ In Vedas ==

== वेदेषु ॥ 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 । asmākamatra pitarasta āsansapta r̥ṣayo daurgahe badhyamāne । (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 example in 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><blockquote>r̥ṣayaḥ - saptarṣayaḥ(1-3 bharadvājo bārhaspatyaḥ, 4-6 kaśyapo mārīcaḥ, 7-9 gotamo rāhūgaṇaḥ, 10-12 atriḥrbhaumaḥ, 13-15 viśvāmitro gāthinaḥ, 16-18 jamadagnirbhārgavaḥ, 19-21 maitrāvaruṇirvāsiṣṭhaḥ, 22-32 pavitra āṅgiraso vā vasiṣṭho vā ubhau vā)</blockquote>[[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]], [[Samaveda (सामवेदः)|Samaveda]] and [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]] and [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|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><blockquote>imāveva gotamabharadvājau। ayameva gotamo'yaṁ bharadvāja । imāveva viśvāmitrajamadagnī। ayameva viśvāmitro'yaṁ jamadagnirimāveva ।vasiṣṭhakaśyapāvayameva vasiṣṭho'yaṁ kaśyapo । vāgevātrirvācā hyannamadyate'ttirha vai nāmaitadyadatririti । sarvasyāttā bhavati sarvamasyānnambhavati । ya evaṁ veda ।- 14.5.2.[6] (Shata. Brah. 14.5.2.6)</blockquote>

Earliest mention of Saptarshis is seen in mantras of samhita section [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] where they are revered as our forefathers.  <blockquote>अस्माकमत्र पितरस्त आसन्सप्त ऋषयो दौर्गहे बध्यमाने । asmākamatra pitarasta āsansapta r̥ṣayo daurgahe badhyamāne । (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 example in 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><blockquote>r̥ṣayaḥ - saptarṣayaḥ(1-3 bharadvājo bārhaspatyaḥ, 4-6 kaśyapo mārīcaḥ, 7-9 gotamo rāhūgaṇaḥ, 10-12 atriḥrbhaumaḥ, 13-15 viśvāmitro gāthinaḥ, 16-18 jamadagnirbhārgavaḥ, 19-21 maitrāvaruṇirvāsiṣṭhaḥ, 22-32 pavitra āṅgiraso vā vasiṣṭho vā ubhau vā)</blockquote>[[Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदः)|Yajurveda]], [[Samaveda (सामवेदः)|Samaveda]] and [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]] [[Brahmana (ब्राह्मणम्)|Brahmanas]] and [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|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><blockquote>imāveva gotamabharadvājau। ayameva gotamo'yaṁ bharadvāja । imāveva viśvāmitrajamadagnī। ayameva viśvāmitro'yaṁ jamadagnirimāveva ।vasiṣṭhakaśyapāvayameva vasiṣṭho'yaṁ kaśyapo । vāgevātrirvācā hyannamadyate'ttirha vai nāmaitadyadatririti । sarvasyāttā bhavati sarvamasyānnambhavati । ya evaṁ veda ।- 14.5.2.[6] (Shata. Brah. 14.5.2.6)</blockquote>

=== Metaphoric Explanation ===

=== Metaphoric Explanation ===

From the above mantras one can understand that Upanishads metaphorically describe the seven indriyas as the seven rshis. These two (ears) are Gautama and Bharadvaja. This one (the right) is Gautama and the other (left) is Bharadvaja. These two (eyes) are Vishvamitra and Jamadagni. This one (right) is Vishvamitra and the other (left) is Jamadagni. These two (nostrils) are Vasishta and Kashyapa. This one (right) is Vasishta. The other (left) is Kashyapa. Vak (वाक् । here it means tongue) is Atri, for through the tongue food is eaten. He is called Atri (अत्रिः) because he eats (अत्ति । Atti).<ref>Ananta Rangacharya, N. S. (2004) ''Principal Upanishads, Volume 3, Brhadaranyakopanishat.'' Bangalore : Sri Rama Printers (Page No 106 and 107)</ref>

From the above mantras one can understand that Upanishads metaphorically describe the seven indriyas as the seven rshis. These two (ears) are [[Gautama (गौतमः)|Gautama]] and Bharadvaja. This one (the right) is Gautama and the other (left) is Bharadvaja. These two (eyes) are Vishvamitra and Jamadagni. This one (right) is Vishvamitra and the other (left) is Jamadagni. These two (nostrils) are Vasishta and Kashyapa. This one (right) is Vasishta. The other (left) is Kashyapa. [[Vak (वाक्)|Vak]] (वाक् । here it means tongue) is Atri, for through the tongue food is eaten. He is called Atri (अत्रिः) because he eats (अत्ति । Atti).<ref>Ananta Rangacharya, N. S. (2004) ''Principal Upanishads, Volume 3, Brhadaranyakopanishat.'' Bangalore : Sri Rama Printers (Page No 106 and 107)</ref>

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