Difference between revisions of "Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)"
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| − | Saptarshis (Samskrit : ) refer to the group of seven well-known rshis who have a significant role in Sanatana Dharma. | + | 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 |
== 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. | + | 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> |
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| − | Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda Brahmanas and Upanishads also mention about Saptarshis and gives the names of the rshis. For example the list of the Seven | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+Saptarshis in Vedas | |+Saptarshis in Vedas | ||
!Source | !Source | ||
!Saptarshis Mentioned | !Saptarshis Mentioned | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Sandhyavandana mantras of Krishna Yaurveda | |Sandhyavandana mantras of Krishna Yaurveda | ||
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|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 | |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 | ||
| − | |Vasiṣṭha (वसिष्ठः), Visvamitra (विश्वामित्र), Jamadagni (जमदग्नी), | + | |Vasiṣṭha (वसिष्ठः), Visvamitra (विश्वामित्र), Jamadagni (जमदग्नी), Gautama (गौतम), Bharadvaja (भरद्वाजः), Gungur (गुंगुर्), Agastya (अगस्त्यः), and Kasyapa (कश्यपः). Atri (अत्रिः) More than 7 rshis are mentioned here. |
|} | |} | ||
As per the ''sandhyā'' practice followed in the tradition of ''Yajurveda'', the ''ṛṣi''‑s of the seven ''vyāhṛti''‑s (“utterances”) ''bhūḥ'', ''bhuvaḥ'', ''svaḥ'', ''mahaḥ'', ''janaḥ'', ''tapaḥ'', and ''satyam'' are Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvāja, Gotama, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, and Kaśyapa, respectively. | As per the ''sandhyā'' practice followed in the tradition of ''Yajurveda'', the ''ṛṣi''‑s of the seven ''vyāhṛti''‑s (“utterances”) ''bhūḥ'', ''bhuvaḥ'', ''svaḥ'', ''mahaḥ'', ''janaḥ'', ''tapaḥ'', and ''satyam'' are Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvāja, Gotama, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, and Kaśyapa, respectively. | ||
== In Puranas and Itihasa == | == In Puranas and Itihasa == | ||
| − | Vishnu Purana | + | Vishnu Purana 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>Vasishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni along with Gautama, Vishvamitra and Bharadvaja became the Saptarshi's. |
The Mahabharata presents them as Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya andVasishta. | The Mahabharata presents them as Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya andVasishta. | ||
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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
In Vedas
Earliest mention of Saptarshis is seen in mantras of samhita section Rigveda where they are revered as our forefathers.
अस्माकमत्र पितरस्त आसन्सप्त ऋषयो दौर्गहे बध्यमाने । (Rig. Veda. 4.42.8)[1]
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
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)
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
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)
| Source | Saptarshis Mentioned |
|---|---|
| Sandhyavandana mantras of Krishna Yaurveda | Angiras, Atri, Bhrigu, Gautama, Kashyapa, Kutsa, Vasishta |
| Shatapata Brahmana (14.5.2.6)[2] Brihadaranyaka Upanisad (2.2.4) [3] associated with Shukla Yajurveda | Gotama and Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra and Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha and Kaśyapa, and Atri |
| Jaiminiya Brahmana (2.218-221)[4] associated with Samaveda | Vasishta, Bharadvaja, Jamadagni, Gotama (Gautama), Atri, Visvamitra, and Agastya |
| Gopatha Brahmana (1.2.8)[5] associated with Atharvaveda | Vasiṣṭha (वसिष्ठः), Visvamitra (विश्वामित्र), Jamadagni (जमदग्नी), Gautama (गौतम), Bharadvaja (भरद्वाजः), Gungur (गुंगुर्), Agastya (अगस्त्यः), and Kasyapa (कश्यपः). Atri (अत्रिः) More than 7 rshis are mentioned here. |
As per the sandhyā practice followed in the tradition of Yajurveda, the ṛṣi‑s of the seven vyāhṛti‑s (“utterances”) bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ, svaḥ, mahaḥ, janaḥ, tapaḥ, and satyam are Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Bharadvāja, Gotama, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, and Kaśyapa, respectively.
In Puranas and Itihasa
Vishnu Purana lists the Saptarshis as follows
वशिष्ठः काश्यपोथात्रिर्जमदग्निः सगौतमः । विश्वामित्रभरद्वाजौ सप्त सप्तर्षयोऽभवन् ॥ ३,१.३२ ॥ (Vish. Pura. 3.1.32)[6]
Vasishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni along with Gautama, Vishvamitra and Bharadvaja became the Saptarshi's.
The Mahabharata presents them as Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya andVasishta.
In Astronomy
सप्तर्षि मण्डलं नित्यं तस्याधस्तात्प्रकीर्तितम् ।। मरीचिश्च वसिष्ठश्च अङ्गिराश्चात्रिरेव च ।। २२ ।।
पुलस्त्यः पुलहश्चैव क्रतुस्सप्तर्षयोऽमलाः ।। वशिष्ठमाश्रिता साध्वी तेषाम्मध्यादरुन्धती ।। २३ ।। (Vish. Dhar. 1.106.22-23)[7]
Brihat Samhita gives the Seven Rishis' names as:
- Marichi
- Vasistha
- Angiras
- Atri
- Pulastya
- Pulaha
- Kratu
| Number | Name of Manvantara | Saptarshi List |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Svayambhuva manu | Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha. |
| 2 | Svarochisha Manu | Urja, Stambha, Prańa, Dattoli, Rishabha, Nischara, and Arvarívat. |
| 3 | Auttami Manu | Sons of Vashishtha: Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Śankha, Praváhita, Mita, and Sammita. |
| 4 | Tamasa Manu | Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka, and Pivara. |
| 5 | Raivata Manu | Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni. |
| 6 | Chakshusha Manu | Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu. |
| 7 | Vaivasvata Manu | Kashyapa, Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja. |
As per legend, the seven Rishis in the next Manvantara will be Diptimat, Galava, Parashurama, Kripa, Drauni or Ashwatthama, Vyasaand Rishyasringa.
पुलस्त्यः, पुं, सप्तर्षीणां मध्ये ऋषिविशेषः । इति शब्दरत्नावली ॥ स ब्रह्मणः कर्णाभ्यां जातः ।
- तस्य भार्य्या हविर्भूः कर्द्दमकन्या । तस्य पुत्त्रः अगस्त्यः विश्रवाश्च । इति श्रीभागवतम् ॥ यथा, हरिवंशे । ७ । ८ ।
- “मरीचिरत्रिर्भगवानङ्गिराः पुलहः क्रतुः ।
- पुलस्त्यश्च वशिष्ठश्च सप्तैते ब्रह्मणः सुताः ॥”
पुलहः, पुं, सप्तर्षीणां मध्ये ऋषिविशेषः । इति शब्दरत्नावली ॥ स च ब्रह्मणो नाभितो जातः तस्य भार्य्या कर्द्दममुनिकन्या गतिः । तस्य पुत्त्राः कर्म्मश्रेष्ठः यवीयान् सहिष्णुश्च । इति
- श्रीभागवतम् ॥
References
- ↑ Rig Veda (Mandala 4 Sukta 42)
- ↑ Shatapata Brahmana (Kanda 14 Adhyaya 5, Brahmana 2)
- ↑ Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 2)
- ↑ Jaiminiya Brahmana (Kanda 2 Adhyayas 11 to 20)
- ↑ Gopatha Brahmana (Purvabhaga Prapathaka 2)
- ↑ Vishnu Purana (Amsha 3 Adhyaya 32)
- ↑ Vishnudharmottara Purana (Kanda 1 Adhyaya 106)