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{{short description|Seven Vedic rishis}}
#REDIRECT [[Saptarshi]]
{{ref improve|date=August 2018}}
[[File:The fish avatara of Vishnu saves Manu during the great deluge.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Matsya]] (fish) rescues the Saptarishi and [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]] from the great Deluge]]
[[File:Saptarishi.gif|thumb|right|250px|In traditional [[Indian astronomy|Hindu astronomy]], seven stars of [[Ursa Major]] are identified with the names of Saptarshis]]
The '''Saptarishi''' (from [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: सप्तर्षि ''{{IAST|(saptarṣī)}}'', a [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] [[dvigu]] meaning "seven sages"; Sapta or Saptan - cognate with Latin ''Septem -'' seven, Rishi - sage(s)) are the seven [[rishi]]s in ancient India, who are extolled at many places in the [[Veda]]s and other Hindu literature. The Vedic [[Samhita]]s never enumerate these rishis by name, though later Vedic texts such as the [[Brahmanas]] and [[Upanisads]] do so. They are regarded in the Vedas as the [[patriarch]]s of the [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic religion]].


The earliest list of the Seven Rishis is given by [[Jaiminiya Brahmana]] 2.218–221: [[Agastya]], [[Atri]], [[Bhardwaja]], [[Gautama Maharishi|Gautam]], [[Jamadagni]], [[Vashistha]] and [[Vishvamitra]] followed by [[Brihadaranyaka]] [[Upanisad]] 2.2.6 with a slightly different list: Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, [[Kashyapa]], Vashistha and Vishwamitra. The late Gopatha Brahmana 1.2.8 has Vashistha, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Gautama, Bharadvaja, Gungu, Agastya and Kashyapa.
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In post-Vedic texts, different lists appear; some of these [[rishi]]s<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jaibhole.co.in/articles/who-are-saptarishi|title=Who are Saptarshi, the importance of their worship|website=Jai Bhole}}</ref> were recognized as the 'mind-born sons' (Sanskrit: मनस पुत्र, ''[[manasputra]]'') of [[Brahma]], the representation of the ''Supreme Being'' as ''Creator''. Other representations are [[Shiva Sahasranama|Mahesh]] or [[Shiva]] as the ''Destroyer'' and [[Vishnu]] as the ''Preserver''. Since these seven rishis were also among the primary eight rishis, who were considered to be the ancestors of the [[Gotra]]s of [[Brahmin]]s, the birth of these rishis was mythicized.
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In ancient [[Indian astronomy]], the asterism of the [[Big Dipper]] (part of the constellation of Ursa Major) is called saptarishi, with the seven stars representing seven rishis, namely "[[Vashistha]]", "[[Marichi]]", "[[Pulastya]]", "[[Pulaha]]", "[[Atri]]", "[[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]]" and "[[Kratu]]". There is another star slightly visible within it, known as "[[Arundhati (Hinduism)|Arundhati]]". Arundhati and Vashishtha are married, and together form the [[Mizar and Alcor |Mizar double]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shankar |first1=P.N |title=A guide to the night sky |date=1 January 1985 |publisher=Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishat |location=Bangalore|url=http://scipop.iucaa.in/Literature/pnshankar_guidetonitesky.pdf}}</ref>
}}
 
As per legend, the seven Rishis in the next ''[[manvantara]]'' will be Diptimat, Galava, [[Parashurama]], [[Kripa]], Drauni or [[Ashwatthama]], [[Vyasa]] and Rishyasringa.
 
==Names of the Saptarishis==
{{Main|Manu (Hinduism)|Manvantara}}
 
A ''[[manvantara]]'' (age of [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]]) is a unit of time within a ''[[Kalpa (aeon)|kalpa]]'' (day of [[Brahma]]). There are fourteen ''manvantaras'' in a ''kalpa'', each separated by ''sandhyas'' (connecting periods). Each ''manvantara'' is ruled by a different [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]], with the current seventh one ruled by [[Vaivasvata Manu]]. [[Rishis]] and their sons are born anew in each ''manvantara''.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-last1=Doniger |editor-first1=Wendy |editor-link1=Wendy Doniger |editor-last2=Hawley |editor-first2=John Stratton |year=1999 |title=Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877790440 |url-access=registration |encyclopedia=[[Merriam-Webster]] |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster|Merriam-Webster, Incorporated]] |page=691 (Manu) |isbn=0877790442 |quote=a day in the life of Brahma is divided into 14 periods called manvantaras ("Manu intervals"), each of which lasts for 306,720,000 years. In every second cycle [(new kalpa after pralaya)] the world is recreated, and a new Manu appears to become the father of the next human race. The present age is considered to be the seventh Manu cycle.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author-last=Gupta |author-first=Dr. S. V. |year=2010 |chapter=Ch. 1.2.4 Time Measurements |editor-last1=Hull |editor-first1=Prof. Robert |editor-last2=Osgood, Jr. |editor-first2=Prof. Richard M. |editor-link2=Richard M. Osgood Jr. |editor-last3=Parisi |editor-first3=Prof. Jurgen |editor-last4=Warlimont |editor-first4=Prof. Hans |title=Units of Measurement: Past, Present and Future. International System of Units |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pHiKycrLmEQC&pg=PA7 |series=Springer Series in Materials Science: 122 |publisher=[[Springer Publishing|Springer]] |pages=7–8 |isbn=9783642007378 |quote=Paraphrased: Mahayuga equals 12,000 Deva (divine) years (4,320,000 solar years). Manvantara equals 71 Mahayugas (306,720,000 solar years). Kalpa (day of Brahma) equals an Adi Sandhya, 14 Manvantaras, and 14 Sandhya Kalas, where 1st Manvantara preceded by Adi Sandhya and each Manvantara followed by Sandhya Kala, each Sandhya lasting same duration as Satya yuga (1,728,000 solar years), during which the entire earth is submerged in water. Day of Brahma equals 1,000 Mahayugas, the same length for a night of Brahma (Bhagavad-gita 8.17). Brahma lifespan (311.04 trillion solar years) equals 100 360-day years, each 12 months. Parardha is 50 Brahma years and we are in the 2nd half of his life. After 100 years of Brahma, the universe starts with a new Brahma. We are currently in the 28th Kali yuga of the first day of the 51st year of the second Parardha in the reign of the 7th (Vaivasvata) Manu.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author-last=Krishnamurthy |author-first=Prof. V. |date=2019 |chapter=Ch. 20: The Cosmic Flow of Time as per Scriptures |title=Meet the Ancient Scriptures of Hinduism |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HF2NDwAAQBAJ&q=%227th+manvantara%22+%2228th%22&pg=PT407 |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=9781684669387 |quote=Each manvantara is preceded and followed by a period of 1,728,000 (= 4K) years when the entire earthly universe (bhu-loka) will submerge under water. The period of this deluge is known as manvantara-sandhya (sandhya meaning, twilight).}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author-last=Wilkins |author-first=William Joseph |date=1913 |orig-date=1882 |title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Purānic |url=https://archive.org/details/hindumythologyve00inwilk/page/365/mode/1up |edition=3rd |location=Calcutta |publisher=London Missionary Society |page=365 |quote=In each Manvantara (period of a Manu), seven Rishis, certain deities, an Indra and a Manu, and the kings, his sons, are created and perish.}}</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.htm Account of the several Manus and Manwantaras] [[Vishnu Purana]], translated by [[Horace Hayman Wilson]], 1840, Book III: Chapter I. p. 259, The first Manu was [[Swáyambhuva]], then came [[Swárochisha]], then [[Auttami]], then [[Támasa]], then [[Raivata]], then [[Chakshusha|Chákshusha]]: these six Manus have passed away. The Manu who presides over the seventh Manwantara, which is the present period, is [[Vaivaswata]], the son of the sun...</ref><ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/the/sd/sd2-1-18.htm Pralaya] [[The Secret Doctrine]] by [[H. P. Blavatsky]], Vol. 2, p. 307 THE SEVEN AND FOURTEEN MANUS.</ref>
 
[[Image:HinduMeasurements.svg|thumb|250px|right|[[Manvantara]] in Hindu units of time measurement, on a [[logarithmic scale]].]]
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Saptarishis in each ''[[manvantara]]'' of the current ''[[Kalpa (aeon)|kalpa]]'' (Śveta-Vārāha Kalpa)
! Manu (''manvantara'')<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2-VhBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT109|title=Teachings of Lord Caitanya (Third Edition): The Golden Avatara|author=His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada|publisher=[[The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust]]|isbn=978-91-7149-730-7|pages=109\u2013}}</ref>!! Saptarishis
|-
| Svayambhuva || <ref name=Manu>Wilson, Horace Hayman; trans. (1840) "[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.htm Vishńu Puráńa]", ''[[Sacred-Texts.com]]''. Contains an account of the several Manus and Manwantaras.</ref> Vashishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, Vishvamitra, Bharadwaja.
|-
| Svarocisha || Urja, Stambha, Prana, Vata, Prishava, Niraya and Parivan
|-
| Uttama || Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Sankha, Pravahita, Mita and Sammita
|-
| Tapasa/Tamasa || Jyotirdhama, [[Prithu]], Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka and Pivara
|-
| Raivata || Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urdhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhama, [[Parjanya]] and Mahamuni
|-
| [[Chakshusha]] || Sumedha, Viraja, Havishman, Uttar, Madhu, Sahishnu, and Atinama
|-
| '''[[Vaivasvata]] (current)''' || Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu, Marichi, Vashistha.
|-
| [[Savarni]] || Diptimat, Galava, [[Rama]], [[Kripa]], Drauni or [[Ashwatthama]], [[Vyasa]] and Rishyasringa
|-
| Daksha-savarni || Savana, Dyutimat, Bhavya, Vasu, Medhatithi, Jyotishman, and Satya
|-
| Brahma-savarni || Havishman, Sukriti, Satya, Apammurtti, Nabhaga, Apratimaujas and Satyaketu
|-
| Dharma-savarni || Nischara, Agnitejas, Vapushman, Vishnu, Aruni, Havishman and Anagha
|-
| Rudra-savarni ||  Tapaswi, Sutapas, Tapomurti, Taporati, Tapodhriti, Tapodyuti and Tapodhana
|-
| Deva-savarni || Nirmoha, Tatwadersin, Nishprakampa, Nirutsuka, Dhritimat, Avyaya and Sutapas
|-
| Indra-savarni || Agnibshu, Suchi, Aukra, Magadha, Gridhra, Yukta and Ajita
|}
 
In [[Hindu astronomy]] the seven stars of the Saptarshi Mandal or [[Big Dipper]] are named as
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background: #F0F0FF"|Indian<BR>Name
!style="background: #F0F0FF"|Bayer<BR>Designation
!style="background: #F0F0FF"|Western<BR>Name
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Kratu]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|α UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Alpha Ursae Majoris|Dubhe]]
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Pulaha]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|β UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Beta Ursae Majoris|Merak]]
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Pulastya]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|γ UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Gamma Ursae Majoris|Phecda]]
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Atri]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|δ UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Delta Ursae Majoris|Megrez]]
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|ε UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Epsilon Ursae Majoris|Alioth]]
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Vasistha]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|ζ UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Zeta Ursae Majoris|Mizar]]
|-
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Marichi]]
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|η UMa
|style="padding: 1px 10px"|[[Eta Ursae Majoris|Alkaid]]
|}
 
Vasishtha is accompanied by Arundhati, a faint companion star ([[Alcor (star)|Alcor]]/80 Ursa Majoris). The valid avatar's clan will be named after Ashvamedh.
 
At the end of every four ages there is a disappearance of the Vedas and it is the province of the seven Rishis to come down upon earth from heaven to give them currency again.
 
==Names of Saptarishis in major Hindu texts==
 
<imagemap>
Image:HinducosmoMap2.svg|thumb|right|250px|alt=Click! Dhruva, Saptarishi, Shani, Bṛhaspati, Budha, Shukra, Chandra, Vivasvan, Garbhodaksayi Vishnu
rect 172 2 277 31 [[w:Dhruva]]
rect 171 96 259 122 [[w:Saptarishi]]
rect 174 148 239 179 [[w:Shani]]
rect 170 198 258 222 [[w:Bṛhaspati]]
rect 171 256 242 278 [[w:Budha]]
rect 177 282 240 298 [[w:Shukra]]
rect 177 317 221 333 [[w:Chandra]]
rect 177 332 212 349 [[w:Vivasvan]]
rect 101 375 261 398 [[w:Garbhodaksayi Vishnu]]
</imagemap>
 
1. The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' and ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad(2.2.4)'' acknowledge the names of seven [[rishi]]s(or Saptarshis) as:
*[[Atri]]
*[[Bharadvaja]]
*[[Gautama Maharishi]]
*[[Jamadagni]]
*[[Kashyapa]]
*[[Vasistha]]
*[[Vishwamitra]]
 
2. Krishna Yajurveda in the Sandhya-Vandana Mantras has it as:
*[[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]]
*[[Atri]]
*[[Bhrigu]]
*[[Gautama Maharishi]]
*[[Kashyapa]]
*[[Kutsa]]
*[[Vasistha]]
 
3. Mahabharata gives the Seven Rishis' names:
*[[Marichi]]
*[[Atri]]
*[[Pulaha]]
*[[Pulastya]]
*[[Kratu]]
*[[Vasistha]]
*[[Kashyapa]]
 
etc.
 
4. Brihat Samhita gives the Seven Rishis' names as:
*[[Marichi]]
*[[Vasistha]]
*[[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]]
*[[Atri]]
*[[Pulastya]]
*[[Pulaha]]
*[[Kratu]]
 
==Saptarishi in Jainism==
 
In [[Jainism]] it is stated that, "Once at [[Mathura]] situated in [[Uttar Pradesh]] Seven Riddhidhari Digamber saints having 'Aakaashgamini Vidhya' came during the rainy season for chaturmaas whose names were 1.) Surmanyu, 2.) Shrimanyu, 3.) Shrinichay, 4.) Sarvasundar, 5.) Jayvaan, 6.) Vinaylaala and 7.) Jaymitra. They all were sons of King Shri Nandan of Prabhapurnagar and queen Dharini. Shri Nandan king took diksha becoming shishya of Omniscient Pritinkar Muniraaj and attained salvation. Because of great tapcharan of these seven digamber munis the 'Mahamaari' disease stopped its evil effect and they all gained the name as 'Saptrishi'. Many idols of these seven munis were made after that event by King Shatrughna in all four directions of the city."
 
==Saptrishi in Sikhism==
In [[Dasam Granth]], text which traditionally attributed to [[Guru Gobind Singh]], mentions biography of seven rishis i.e. [[Valmiki]], [[Kashyap]], [[Shukra|Sukra]], [[Bṛhaspati|Baches]], [[Vyas]], Khat and [[Kalidas]]. These are described under composition Brahm Avtar.<ref>Page 17, Dasam Granth, Dr. SS Kapoor</ref>
 
==See also==
{{commons category}}
* [[Nachiketa]]
* [[Dhruva]]
* [[Apkallu]]
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Rishis of Hindu mythology}}
{{Rigveda}}
 
[[Category:Rishis]]
[[Category:Hindu astronomy]]

Latest revision as of 07:50, 31 May 2023

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