View source for Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)

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 ==
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>

== वेदेषु ॥ In Vedas ==
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 ===
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>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Saptarshis in Vedas
!Source
!Saptarshis Mentioned
|-
|Sandhyavandana mantras of Krishna Yaurveda
|[[Angirasa (अङ्गिरसः)|Angirasa]], [[Atri (अत्रिः)|Atri]], Bhrgu, [[Gautama (गौतमः)|Gautama]], Kashyapa, [[Kutsa Angirasa (कुत्स अङ्गिरसः)|Kutsa]], [[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)|Vasishta]]
|-
|Shatapata Brahmana (14.5.2.6)<ref>Shatapata Brahmana [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8 (Kanda 14 Adhyaya 5, Brahmana 2])</ref> Brihadaranyaka Upanisad (2.2.4) <ref>Brhdaranyaka Upanishad ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95_%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D_2p Adhyaya 2])</ref> associated with Shukla Yajurveda
|Gotama and Bharadvaja, Visvamitra and Jamadagni, Vasishta and Kashyapa, and Atri
|-
|Jaiminiya Brahmana (2.218-221)<ref>Jaiminiya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%82_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A8/%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A7-%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%A6 Kanda 2 Adhyayas 11 to 20])</ref> associated with Samaveda
|Vasishta, Bharadvaja, Jamadagni, Gotama (Gautama), Atri, Visvamitra, and Agastya
|-
|Gopatha Brahmana (1.2.8)<ref>Gopatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7_(%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83)/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A8 Purvabhaga Prapathaka 2])</ref> associated with Atharvaveda
|[[Vasishta (वसिष्ठः)]], [[Visvamitra (विश्वामित्रः)]], [[Jamadagni (जमदग्नी)]], [[Gautama (गौतमः)]], [[Bharadvaja (भरद्वाजः)]], Gungur (गुंगुर्), Agastya (अगस्त्यः), and [[Kashyapa (कश्यपः)]] [[Atri (अत्रिः)]]. Here more than 7 rshis are mentioned.
|}
== पुराणेतिहासयोः ॥ In Puranas and Itihasa ==
'''Vishnu, 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>vaśiṣṭhaḥ kāśyapothātrirjamadagniḥ sagautamaḥ । viśvāmitrabharadvājau sapta saptarṣayo'bhavan ॥ 3,1.32 ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.1.32)</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>vaśiṣṭhaḥ kāśyapo'thātrirjamadagniḥ sagotamaḥ । viśvāmitrabharadvājau munayaḥ sapta sāmprataṁ ॥150.009 (Agni. Pura. 150.9)</blockquote><blockquote>कश्यपोऽत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च भरद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः। विश्वामित्रो जमदग्निः साध्वी चैवाप्यरुन्धती॥ (Maha. 13.93.21)</blockquote><blockquote>kaśyapo'trirvasiṣṭhaśca bharadvājo'tha gautamaḥ। viśvāmitro jamadagniḥ sādhvī caivāpyarundhatī॥ (Maha. 13.93.21)</blockquote>Vasishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni along with Gautama, Vishvamitra and Bharadvaja became the saptarshi's. Manvantaras are not mentioned in this context. The Garuda Purana however mentions about maharshis with many differing from the above list as follows<blockquote>मरीचिरत्र्यङ्गिरसौ पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः ॥ वसिष्ठश्च महातेजा ऋषयः सप्तकीर्त्तिताः ॥ ८७.२ ॥ (Garu. Pura. 87.2)<ref>Garuda Purana (Acharakanda [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%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%86%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4 Adhyaya 87])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>marīciratryaṅgirasau pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ ॥ vasiṣṭhaśca mahātejā r̥ṣayaḥ saptakīrttitāḥ ॥ 87.2 ॥</blockquote>Meaning : Marichi, Atri, Angirasa, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Vasishta are praised as the lustrous seven rshis.

=== महाभारते आख्यायनम् ॥ Story in Mahabharata  ===
In the Mahabharata Anusashana Parva there is an anecdote of the Saptarshis encountering the Krtya (an asura) named Yatudani with an intention of killing them but first asking them to explain the meaning of their names. The story of Saptarshis and Raja Vrshaadarbhi explains the esoteric meanings about the names of each rshi.

Sri. Nityananda Mishra has put together this anecdote and explains how the Saptarshi explain their names along with their esoteric meanings. The Saptarshis 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, ultimately Indra kills the Yatudhani (Mahabharata Anushasana Parva Adhyaya 93 Slokas 85-103).<ref>Pt. Ramnarayandatt Shastri. ''Mahabharata, Volume 6, Anushashana, Asvamedhika, Ashramavasika, Mausala, Mahaprasthanika and Svargarohana Parvas.'' Gorakhpur : Gita Press. ([https://archive.org/stream/Mahabharata04SanskritHindiPanditRamnarayanGitaPress/Mahabharata06_Sanskrit-hindi_panditRamnarayan_gitaPress#page/n385/mode/1up Adhyaya 93 Page no 5761])</ref>

== मन्वन्तरेषु ॥ 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"
|+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
!Name of Manvantara
!Saptarshi List
!Source
|-
|1
|स्वायम्भुवमनुः ॥ Svayambhuva Manu 
|स्वायम्भुवमन्वन्तरे मरीचिः । अत्रिः । अङ्गिराः । पुलस्त्यः । पुलहः । क्रतुः । वशिष्ठः ।
Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vasishta
|Harivamsha (7.8) यथा हरिवंशे । ७ । ८ ।

मरीचिरत्रिर्भगवानङ्गिराः पलहः क्रतुः ।

पुलस्त्यश्च वशिष्ठश्च सप्तैते ब्रह्मणः सुताः॥
|-
|2
|स्वारोचिषमनुः॥ Svarochisha Manu
|स्वारोचिषे उर्जस्तम्भादयः ।
Urja, Stambha, Prańa, Dattoli, Rishabha, Nischara, and Arvavira as per Markandeya Purana.
|Markandeya Purana (67.4) यथा, मार्कण्डेये ६७ ।४। 

उर्जस्तम्भस्तथा प्राणो दत्तोलिरृषभस्तथा। निश्चरश्चार्ववीराश्च तत्र सप्तर्षयोऽभवन्॥
|-
|3
|उत्तममनुः ॥ Uttama Manu (Auttami)
|उत्तमे वशिष्ठसुताः प्रमदादयः । 

In Uttama manvantara sons of Vashishtha: Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Śankha, Praváhita, Mita, and Sammita.
|Markandeya Purana (73.13) यथा, मार्कण्डेये ७३।१३।

स्वतेजसा हि तपसो वशिष्ठस्य महात्मनः । तनयश्चान्तरे तस्मिन् सप्त सप्तर्षयोऽभवन्॥
|-
|4
|तामसमनुः ॥ Tamasa Manu
|तामसे ज्योतिर्धामादयः ।
Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Balaka, and Pivara.
|Markandeya Purana (74.59) यथा मार्कण्डेये ७४।५९।

ज्योतिर्धामा पृथुः काव्यश्चैत्रोऽग्निर्बलकस्तथा । पीवरश्च तथा ब्रह्मन् सप्त सप्तर्षयोऽभवन्॥
|-
|5
|रैवतमनुः ॥ Raivata Manu
|रैवते हिरण्यरोमा वेदशिरा ऊर्द्ध्वबाहुरित्यादयः ।
Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni.
|Markandeya Purana (75.73-74) यथा मार्कण्डेये ७५ । ७३-७४ ।

हिरण्यरोमा वेदश्रीरूर्द्ध्वबाहुस्तथापरः । वेदबाहुः सुधामा च पर्जन्यश्च महामुनिः ॥

वशिष्ठश्च महाभागो वेदवेदान्तपारगः । एते सप्तर्षयश्चासन् रैवतस्यान्तरे मनोः॥
|-
|6
|चाक्षषमनुः ॥ Chakshusha Manu
|चाक्षषे हर्य्यश्मद्वीरकादयः ।
Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu.
|Markandeya Purana (76.58) मार्कण्डेयमतानुयायिन उच्यन्ते तत्रैव । ७६ । ५४ ।

सुमेधा विरजाश्चैव हविष्मानुन्नतो मधुः । अतिनामा सहिष्णुश्च सप्तासन्निति चर्षयः॥
|-
|7
|वैवस्वतमनुः ॥ Vaivasvata Manu or Sraddhadeva
|वैवस्वताख्यवर्त्तमानमन्वन्तरे कश्यपः । अत्रिः । वशिष्ठः । विश्वामित्रः । गौतमः । जमदग्निः । भरद्वाजः ॥ 

Kashyapa, Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja.
|Markandeya Purana (79.9-10) यथा मार्कण्डेये ७९ । ९-१० ।

अत्रिश्चैव वशिष्ठश्च काश्यपश्च महानृषिः । गौतमश्च भरद्वालो विश्वामित्रोऽथ कौशिकः ॥

तथैव पत्त्रो भगवानृचीकस्य महात्मनः ।जमदग्निस्तु सप्तैते मुनयोऽत्र तथान्तरे ॥
|-
|8
|सावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Savarni Manu
|सावर्णिके गालवः । दीप्तिमान् । परशुरामः । अश्वत्थामा । कृपः । ऋष्यशृङ्गः । व्यासः ।

Galava, Diptiman, Parashurama, Asvatthama, Krpa, Rshyashringa, Vyasa
|Markandeya Purana (80.4) यथा, मार्कण्डये ८० । ४ ।

रामो व्यासो गालवश्च दीप्तिमान् कृपएव च । ऋष्यशृग्ङ्गस्तथा द्रोणिस्तत्र सप्तर्षयोऽभवन्॥ 

रामः परशुरामः । द्रोणिरश्वत्थामा ॥
|-
|9
|दक्षसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Daksha Savarni Manu
|दक्षसावर्णिके द्युतिमदाद्याः ।

Medhatithi, Vyasa, Satya, Jyotishman, Dyutiman, Sabala, Havyavan
|Markandeya Purana (94.8) यथा मार्कण्डेये ९४ । ८ ।

मेधातिथिर्व्वसुः सत्यो ज्योतिष्मान् द्युतिमांस्तथा ।

सप्तर्षयोऽन्यः सबलस्तथान्यो हव्यवाहनः ॥
|-
|10
|ब्रह्मसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Brahma Savarni Manu
|ब्रह्मसावर्णिके हविष्मत्सुकृतसत्यजयमूर्त्त्याद्याः ।

Apah, Bhutihavishman, Sukrti, Satya, Nabhaga, Apratiman, Vaasishta
|Markandeya Purana (94.10,13,14) यथा मार्कण्डेये ९४ । १०, १३, १४ ।

मनोस्तु दशमस्यान्यच्छृणु मन्वन्तरं द्विज ॥ 

सप्तर्षींस्तान् निबोध त्वं ये भविष्यन्ति वै तदा । 

आपो भूतिर्हविष्मांश्च सुकृती सत्यएव च । 

नाभागोऽप्रतिमश्चैव वाशिष्ठश्चैव सप्तमः ॥
|-
|11
|धर्म्मसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Dharma Savarni Manu
|धर्म्मसावर्णिके अरुणादयः ।

Havishman, Varishta, Rsthti, Aruni, Nischara, Anagha, Mahamuni 
|Markandeya Purana (94.19-20) यथा मार्कण्डेये ९४ । १९-२० ।

हविष्मांश्च वरिष्ठश्च ऋष्टिरन्यस्तथारुणिः ।

निश्चरश्चानघश्चैव विष्टिश्चान्यो महामुनिः ॥

सप्तर्षयोऽन्तरे तस्मिन्नग्निदेवश्च सप्तमः॥
|-
|12
|रुद्रसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Rudra Savarni Manu
|रुद्रसावर्णिके तपोमूर्त्त्यादयः ।

Dyuti, Tapasvi, Sutapa, Tapomurti, Taponidhi, Taporati, Tapodhruti
|Markandeya Purana (94.25) यथा मार्कण्डेये ९४ । २५ ।

द्युतिस्तपस्वी सुतपास्तपोमूर्त्तिस्तपोनिधिः ।

तपोरतिस्तथैवान्यः सप्तमस्तु तपोधृतिः” ॥
|-
|13
|देवसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Deva Savarni Manu (Rouchya)
|देवसावर्णिके निर्म्मोहतत्त्वदर्श्याद्याः । मार्कण्डेयपुराणमते अयं त्रयोदशमनुः रौच्याख्ययाभिहितः ।
Nirmoha, Tatvadersi, Nishprakampa, Nirutmukha, Dhyutiman, Avyaya and Sutapas
|Markandeya Purana (94.27-30) यथा, तत्रैव ९४ । २७-३० ।

त्रयोदशस्य पर्य्याये रौच्याख्यस्य मनोः सुतान् ।

धृतिमानव्ययश्चैव तत्त्वदर्शी निरुत्मुकः ।

निर्म्मोहः सुतपाश्चान्यो निष्प्रकम्पश्च सप्तमः॥)
|-
|14
|इन्द्रसावर्णिकमनुः ॥ Indra Savarni or Bhoutya (भौत्यः)
|इन्द्रसावर्णिके अग्निबाहुशुचिशुद्धमागधाद्याः सप्तर्षयः । मार्कण्डेयपुराणमतेऽयं भौत्याख्ययाभिहितः ।

Agnidhra, Agnibahu, Suchi, Yukta, Madhava, Sukra, Ajita. According to Markandeya Purana this Manu is called by the name Bhoutya.
|यथा तत्रैव ९९ । १ ।

ततः परन्तु भौत्यस्य समुत्पत्तिं निशामय ।

देवानृषींस्तथा पुत्त्रांस्तथैव वसुधाधिपान् ॥

ततः परं त्रयोदशमन्वन्तरानन्तरम् ॥ अस्मिन्

मन्वन्तरे सप्तर्षिनामान्याह तत्रैव १०० । ३१ ।

अग्नीध्रश्चाग्निबाहुश्च शुचिर्मुक्तोऽथ माधवः ।

शुक्रोऽजितश्च सप्तैते तदा सप्तर्षयः स्मृताः” ॥
|}

== सप्तर्षिमण्डलम् ॥ Saptarshi Mandala ==
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>saptarṣi maṇḍalaṁ nityaṁ tasyādhastātprakīrtitam ।। marīciśca vasiṣṭhaśca aṅgirāścātrireva ca ।। 22 ।।</blockquote><blockquote>पुलस्त्यः पुलहश्चैव क्रतुस्सप्तर्षयोऽमलाः ।। वशिष्ठमाश्रिता साध्वी तेषाम्मध्यादरुन्धती ।। २३ ।। (Vish. Dhar. 1.106.22-23)<ref name=":2">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><blockquote>pulastyaḥ pulahaścaiva kratussaptarṣayo'malāḥ ।। vaśiṣṭhamāśritā sādhvī teṣāmmadhyādarundhatī ।। 23 ।।</blockquote>Vishnudharmottara Purana<ref name=":2" /> 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" />
[[Category:Rishis]]

== प्रसिद्धाः विषयाः ॥ Famous Aspects ==
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. 

=== Naubandhana ===
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)

=== Prajapatis ===
The Saptarshis who are as powerful as Brahma are associated in the origin of Prajapatis who actually helped in furthering procreation. 

{| class="wikitable"
|+Saptarshis and Prajapatis
!Saptarshi
!Prajapati
!Names
|-
|Atri
|10 Prachetasas gave rise one Prajapati called Daksha
|Daksha (दक्षः) and Ka (कः)<ref name=":4" />
|-
|Marichi
|Kashyapa
|Kashyapa and Aristanemi (अरिष्टनेमिः)<ref name=":4" />
|}
[[Category:Rishis]]

== Verses and Meanings ==
In the Mahabharata Anusashana Parva, the following are the slokas from adhyaya 93 describing the anecdote of Saptarshis and Yatudhani a rakshasi (krtya created by Raja Vrshadarbhi). 

भीष्म उवाच

विज्ञाय यातुधानीं तां कृत्यामृषिवधैषिणीम्। अत्रिः क्षुधापरीतात्मा ततो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ 13-93-85

अत्रिरुवाच

अरात्रिरत्रिः सा रात्रिर्यां नाधीते त्रिरद्य वै। अरात्रिरत्रिरित्येव नाम मे विद्धि शोभने॥ 13-93-86

यातुधान्युवाच

यथोदाहृतमेतत्ते मयि नाम महाद्युते। दुर्धार्यमेतन्मनसा गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-87

वसिष्ठ उवाच

वसिष्ठोऽस्मि वरिष्ठोऽस्मि वसे वासगृहेष्वपि। वसिष्ठत्वाच्च वासाच्च वसिष्ठ इति विद्धि माम्॥ 13-93-88

यातुधान्युवाच

नामनैरुक्तमेतत्ते दुःखव्याभाषिताक्षरम्। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-89

कश्यप उवाच

कुलं कुलं च कुवमः कुवमः कश्यपो द्विजः। काश्यः काशनिकाशत्वादेतन्मे नाम धारय॥ 13-93-90

यातुधान्युवाच

यथोदाहृतमेतत्ते मयि नाम महाद्युते। दुर्धार्यमेतन्मनसा गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-91

भरद्वाज उवाच

भरेऽसुतान्भरेऽशिष्यान्भरे देवान्भरे द्विजान्। भरे भार्यां भरे द्वाजं भरद्वाजोऽस्मि शोभने॥ 13-93-92

यातुधान्युवाच

नामनैरुक्तमेतत्ते दुःखव्याभाषिताक्षरम्। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-93

गौतम उवाच

गोदमो दमतोऽधूमोऽदमस्ते समदर्शनात्। गांभिस्तमो ममध्वस्तं जातमात्रस्य देहतः। विद्धि मां गौतमं कृत्ये यातुधानि निबोध माम्॥ 13-93-94

यातुधान्युवाच

यथोदाहृतमेतत्ते मयि नाम महामुने। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-95

विश्वामित्र उवाच

विश्वे देवाश्च मे मित्रं मित्रमस्मि गवां तथा। विश्वामित्रमिति ख्यातं यातुधानि निबोध माम्॥ 13-93-96

यातुधान्युवाच

नामनैरुक्तमेतत्ते दुःखव्याभाषिताक्षरम्। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-97

जमदग्निरुवाच

जाजमद्य जजानेऽहं जिजाहीह जिजायिषि। जमदग्निरिति ख्यातस्ततो मां विद्धि शोभने॥ 13-93-98

यातुधान्युवाच

यथोदाहृतमेतत्ते मयि नाम महामुने। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-99

धरान्धरित्रीं वसुधां भर्तुस्तिष्ठाम्यनन्तरम्। मनोऽनुरुन्धती भर्तुरिति मां विद्ध्यरुन्धतीम्॥ 13-93-100

यातुधान्युवाच

नामनैरुक्तमेतत्ते दुःखव्याभाषिताक्षरम्। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-101

गण्डोवाच

वक्त्रैकदेशे गण्डेति धातुमेतं प्रचक्षते। तेनोन्नतेन गण्डेति विद्धि मानलसम्भवे॥ 13-93-102

यातुधान्युवाच

नामनैरुक्तमेतत्ते दुःखव्याभाषिताक्षरम्। नैतद्धारयितुं शक्यं गच्छावतर पद्मिनीम्॥ 13-93-103

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Vedangas]]