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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). 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.
== 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>
== Mahabharata Story ==
== Mahabharata Story ==
In the Mahabharata Anusashana Parva there is an anecdote of the Saptarshis encountering the Yatudhani (an asura) 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.
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.
=== Verses and Meanings ===
=== Verses and Meanings ===