Saptarshi

The Saptarshi ( ) are the seven seers of ancient India who are extolled in the Vedas, and other Hindu literature such as the Skanda Purana. The Vedic Samhitas never enumerate these rishis by name, although later Vedic texts such as the Brahmanas and Upanisads do, so these constellations are easily recognizable.

Hindu sacred text

An early prototype of the "Saptarishi" concept may stem from the six families associated with the six "Family Books" in the Rigveda Samhita (Mandalas 2–7 in ascending order: Gṛtsamāda, Viśvāmitra, Vāmadeva, Atri, Bharadvaja, Vasiṣṭha). While not a "Family Book", Mandala 8 is mostly attributed to Kaṇva, who could be considered the 7th prototypical Saptarishi.

The earliest formal list of the seven rishis is given by Jaiminiya Brahmana 2.218–221: Agastya, Atri, Bhardwaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Vashistha, and Vishvamitra followed by Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 2.2.6 with a slightly different list: Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vashistha, and Vishvamitra. The late Gopatha Brahmana 1.2.8 has Vashistha, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Gautama, Bharadvaja, Gungu, Agastya, and Kashyapa.

In post-Vedic texts, different lists appear; some of these rishis were recognized as the 'mind-born sons' (Sanskrit: मनस पुत्र, '' manasaputra'') of Brahma, the representation of the ''Supreme Being'' as ''Creator''. Other representations are Maheshvara 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 Gotras of Brahmins, the birth of these rishis was mythicized.

According to legend, the seven rishis in the next ''manvantara'' will be Diptimat, Galava, Parashurama, Kripa, Drauni or Ashwatthama, Vyasa, and Rishyasringa.

Names

A ''manvantara'' (age of Manu) is a unit of time within a '' 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, with the current seventh one ruled by Vaivasvata Manu. Rishis and their sons are born anew in each ''manvantara''.

Lists

Image:HinducosmoMap2.svg, 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

1. The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' and ''Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.2.4)'' acknowledge the names of seven rishis (or Saptarshis) as:
* Atri
* Bharadvaja
* Gautama Maharishi
* Jamadagni
* Kashyapa
* Vasistha
* Vishvamitra

2. The Krishna Yajurveda in the Sandhya-Vandana Mantras has it as:
* Angiras
*Atri
* Bhrigu
* Gautama Maharishi
*Kashyapa
*Kutsa
*Vasistha

3. The Mahabharata and Brihat Samhita offer the seven rishis' names as:
*Angiras
*Atri
* Kratu
* Marichi
* Pulaha
* Pulastya
*Vasistha

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."

Sikhism

In the Dasam Granth, a text which is traditionally attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, mentions the biographies of the seven rishis, that is, Valmiki, Kashyapa, Sukra, Baches, Vyas, Khat and Kalidas. These are described under the composition Brahm Avtar.

Astronomy

In ancient Indian astronomy, the pattern of stars known in the West as the Big Dipper (part of the larger constellation of Ursa Major) is called Saptarshi, with the seven stars representing seven rishis: Vashistha, Marichi, Pulastya, Pulaha, Atri, Angiras and Kratu. A faint companion star near Vashistha, known as Arundhati, is identified with Vashistha’s wife. Together, Vashistha and Arundhati correspond to the double star system Mizar and Alcor.

In Hindu astronomy, the seven stars of the Saptarshi Mandala, or Big Dipper are called:

Vasishtha is accompanied by Arundhati, a faint companion star ( Alcor/80 Ursa Majoris).

See also

* Nachiketa
* Dhruva
* Apkallu

References

{{Rigveda

Rishis
Hindu astronomy