The Saptarishi are the ‘seven great sages’ in Hinduism. They are truly enlightened beings and are highly revered in Hinduism. The Saptarishi’s are said to be mind born sons of Lord Brahma. They live for a period of time called ‘Manvantara’ (306,720,000 Earth Years). At the end of each Manvantara the universe is destroyed and the Saptarishi’s merge into God. Then, the duty of fulfilling the Earth is handed over to the newly appointed Saptarishi’s. They are disciples of Lord Shiva or Adiyogi. It is said that they were taught yoga by Adiyogi so they could spread the knowledge and tradition to the human race.
All the Saptarishi are Brahma rishis – meaning they have completely understood the meaning of the Divine Consciousness. According to the Vedas the Saptarishi have attained a semi-immortal status by their extreme penance and yogic powers. They guide the human race through the four great ages – Satya Yug, Treta Yug, Dvapar Yug and Kali Yug. The Saptarishi are very powerful and can defeat any weapon on Earth. They are not governed by the circle of life and death. Their third eye is completely open, and they can use their intuition to their full capacity. Their attention spans the entire Universe, and yet, they can maintain precise detail in action and thoughts. They are the guardians of the divine laws.
It needs to be understood that one cannot rise to the level of Saptarishi through merit alone. The divine order of Saptarishi has been created by Lord Brahma. To honour the revered Hindu sages a special day has been marked for them in our culture. Rishi Panchami is celebrated to honour the ‘Saptarishi’ and to seek their blessings. As per the Hindu Lunar Calendar, it falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright half of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. It is on the day after Ganesh Chaturthi.
For the present Manvantara, the Saptarishi are Kashyap, Atri, Gautam, Jamadagni, Bharadwaj, Vashishta and Vishwamitra, . Let us learn a little more about each of them.
1. Kashyap
Kashyap is considered the father of Asuras, Devas and the human race. He wrote the Kashyap Samhita. This book is used in Ayurvedic Paediatrics, Gynecology, and Obstetrics. He also wrote severals hymns and verses of the Rig Veda. Kashmir derives its name from Rishi Kashyap. It’s ancient name was ‘Kashyap Mira’ – the lake of Kashyap.
2. Atri
Atri is the father of Lord Dattatreya who is one of the most popular Gods in Hinduism. Atri composed many sacred vedic mantras. The fifth mandala of the Rig Veda has been named ‘Atri Mandala’ in his honor. He wrote the Atri Samhita. He was married to Devi Anusuya, one of the most pure and chaste women in our history. They had three sons – Dattatreya (who was the avtar of the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), Durvasa and Soma (Chandra).
3. Gautam
Gautam wrote Gautam Dharmasutra – the first scripture in social and religious laws. He also wrote Gautam Medhsutra. He is credited with the creation of river Godavari. He was the son of Maharishi Rahugana and Mata Pradveshi. He was married to Ahalya. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and established the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga.
4. Bharadwaj
Bharadwaj was an economist, physician, grammarian and a scholar. He was the son of Dev Guru Brihaspati. He wrote the sixth book of the Rig Veda. Bharadwaj was the father of Dronacharya – the guru of Kauravas and Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Lord Ram and others rested at Rishi Bharadwaj’s ashram at Prayag when they were in exile.
5. Jamadagni
Rishi Jamadagni was well versed in Hindu scriptures and Vedas. He is the father of Parshuram – the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. His wife was Renuka.
6. Vashishta
Vashishta is very famous amongst the Saptarishi. He was the guru of Lord Ram and his brothers. His ‘gurukul’ was located on the banks of river Sarayu in Ayodhya. He wrote the Mandala 7 of the Rig Veda. He also wrote Vashishta Samhita and Yoga Vashishta. He had immense knowledge on astrology.
7. Vishwamitra
Vishwamitra is the only sage who rose to the merit of ‘Brahmarishi’ through severe penance. Brahma eventually appointed him as one of the ‘Saptarishi’. He was born a Kshatriya and was a king but evolved to become one of the greatest sages in the history of Bharat. He created the ‘Gayatri mantra’.
