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. Earliest mention of Saptarshis is seen in mantras of samhita section Rigveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. Brahmanas and Upanishads also mention about Saptarshis. For example the list of the Seven Rishis 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)

Saptarshis in different texts

Source	Saptarshis Mentioned
Sandhyavandana mantras of Krishna Yaurveda	Angiras, Atri, Bhrigu, Gautama, Kashyapa, Kutsa, Vasishta
Shatapata Brahmana (14.5.2.6) Brihadaranyaka Upanisad (2.2.4) associated with Shukla Yajurveda	Gotama and Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra and Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha and Kaśyapa, and Atri
Jaiminiya Brahmana (2.218-221) associated with Samaveda	Vasishta, Bharadvaja, Jamadagni, Gotama (Gautama), Atri, Visvamitra, and Agastya
Gopatha Brahmana (1.2.8) associated with Atharvaveda	Vasiṣṭha (वसिष्ठः), Visvamitra (विश्वामित्र), Jamadagni (जमदग्नी), Gatama (गौतम), Bharadvaja (भरद्वाजः), Gungur (गुंगुर्), Agastya (अगस्त्यः), and Kasyapa (कश्यपः). Atri (अत्रिः) More than 7 rshis 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.

The Mahabharata presents them as Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya andVasishta.

Brihat Samhita gives the Seven Rishis' names as:

• Marichi
• Vasistha
• Angiras
• Atri
• Pulastya
• Pulaha
• Kratu

Manvantaras and Saptarshis

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 ॥