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 where they are revered as our forefathers.

अस्माकमत्र पितरस्त आसन्सप्त ऋषयो दौर्गहे बध्यमाने । (Rig. Veda. 4.42.8)[1]

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 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 Vedas
Source Saptarshis Mentioned
Rig Veda (4.42.8)
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), 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.

In Puranas and Itihasa

Vishnu Purana speaks of the Saptarshis as follows

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)[6]

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 ॥

References

  1. Rig Veda (Mandala 4 Sukta 42)
  2. Shatapata Brahmana (Kanda 14 Adhyaya 5, Brahmana 2)
  3. Brhdaranyaka Upanishad (Adhyaya 2)
  4. Jaiminiya Brahmana (Kanda 2 Adhyayas 11 to 20)
  5. Gopatha Brahmana (Purvabhaga Prapathaka 2)
  6. Vishnudharmottara Purana (Kanda 1 Adhyaya 106)