Saptarshis (सप्तर्षयः)
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. The earliest list of the Seven Rishis is given by
Jaiminiya Brahmana 2.218-221: Vasiṣṭha, Bharadvāja, Jamadagni, Gotama, Atri, Viśvāmitra, and Agastya,
Shatapatha Brahmana and Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 2.2.6 or 4 (check) with a slightly different list: Gotama and Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra and Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha and Kaśyapa, and Atri.
The late Gopatha Brāhmana 1.2.8 has Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Gotama, Bharadvāja, Guṅgu, Agastya, and Kaśyapa.
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
| 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 ॥