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Saptarshi
The Saptarshi (Sanskrit: स�िष�, lit. 'Seven sages' IAST: Saptarṣi) are the seven seers of ancient India
who are extolled in the Vedas, and other Hindu literature such as the "Skanda Purana" (https://
www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc502103.html) . [1] The Vedic
Samhitas never enumerate these rishis by name, although later Vedic texts such as the Brahmanas
and Upanisads do so.

Saptarshi: Vishvamitra (top left),

Jamadagni (top middle), Gautama
(top right), Vasishtha (in the middle,
beardless), Kashyapa (down left),
Bharadvaja (down middle, in a yogic
asana, upside down), Atri (down
right). Pahari, from a Bandralta-
Mankot workshop; c. 1700.
Government Museum and Art Gallery,
Chandigarh

In traditional Hindu astronomy, the seven

stars of the Big Dipper are identified with
the names of Saptarshis

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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[2] were recognized as the 'mind-
born sons' (Sanskrit: मनस पु�, 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.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

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Manvantara in Hindu units of time

measurement, on a logarithmic scale.
Saptarishis in each manvantara of the current kalpa (Śveta-Vārāha Kalpa)
Manu
Saptarishis
(manvantara)[9]

Svayambhuva [10] Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu, Marichi, Vashistha.

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

Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urdhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhama, Parjanya, and

Raivata
Mahamuni

Chakshusha Sumedha, Viraja, Havishman, Uttar, Madhu, Sahishnu, and Atinama

Vaivasvata (current) Vashishta, Kashyapa, Atri, Jamadagni, Gautama, Vishvamitra, Bharadvaja

Diptimat, Galava, Parashurama, Kripa, Drauni or Ashwatthama, Vyasa, and

Savarni
Rishyasringa

Daksha-savarni Savana, Dyutimat, Bhavya, Vasu, Medhatithi, Jyotishman, and Satya

Havishman, Sukriti, Satya, Apammurtti, Nabhaga, Apratimaujas, and

Brahma-savarni
Satyaketu

Dharma-savarni Nischara, Agnitejas, Vapushman, Vishnu, Aruni, Havishman, and Anagha

Tapaswi, Sutapas, Tapomurti, Taporati, Tapodhriti, Tapodyuti, and

Rudra-savarni
Tapodhana

Nirmoha, Tatwadersin, Nishprakampa, Nirutsuka, Dhritimat, Avyaya, and

Deva-savarni
Sutapas

Indra-savarni Agnibshu, Suchi, Aukra, Magadha, Gridhra, Yukta and Ajita

Lists

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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

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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 i.e. Valmiki, Kashyap, Sukra, Baches, Vyas, Khat and Kalidas. These
are described under the composition Brahm Avtar.[11]

Astronomy

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" and "Kratu". There is another star slightly visible
within it, known as "Arundhati". Arundhati and Vashishtha are married, and together form the
Mizar double.[12]

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

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Indian Bayer Western

Name Designation Name
Kratu α UMa Dubhe
Pulaha β UMa Merak
Pulastya γ UMa Phecda
Atri δ UMa Megrez
Angiras ε UMa Alioth
Vasistha ζ UMa Mizar
Marichi η UMa Alkaid

Vasishtha is accompanied by Arundhati, a faint companion star (Alcor/80 Ursa Majoris). The valid
avatar's clan is supposed to be named after their ashvamedha.

See also

• Nachiketa Wikimedia Commons has

media related to
• Dhruva Saptarishi.

• Apkallu

References

1. www.wisdomlib.org (2012-06-24). "Saptarshi, Saptarishi, Saptarṣi, Saptaṛṣi: 13 definitions" (https://ww

w.wisdomlib.org/definition/saptarshi) . www.wisdomlib.org. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2
0221027061730/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/saptarshi) from the original on 2022-10-27.
Retrieved 2022-10-27.

2. "Who are Saptarshi, the importance of their worship" (https://jaibhole.co.in/articles/who-are-saptaris

hi) . Jai Bhole. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210613184820/https://jaibhole.co.in/articles
/who-are-saptarishi) from the original on 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2020-09-02.

3. Doniger, Wendy; Hawley, John Stratton, eds. (1999). "Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World
Religions" (https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877790440) . Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster,
Incorporated. p. 691 (Manu). ISBN 0877790442. "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."

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4. Gupta, S. V. (2010). "Ch. 1.2.4 Time Measurements" (https://books.google.com/books?id=pHiKycrLmE

QC&pg=PA7) . In Hull, Robert; Osgood, Richard M. Jr.; Parisi, Jurgen; Warlimont, Hans (eds.). Units of
Measurement: Past, Present and Future. International System of Units. Springer Series in Materials
Science: 122. Springer. pp. 7–8. ISBN 9783642007378. "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."

5. Krishnamurthy, V. (2019). "Ch. 20: The Cosmic Flow of Time as per Scriptures" (https://books.google.c
om/books?id=HF2NDwAAQBAJ&q=%227th+manvantara%22+%2228th%22&pg=PT407) . Meet the
Ancient Scriptures of Hinduism. Notion Press. ISBN 9781684669387. "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)."

6. Wilkins, William Joseph (1913) [1882]. Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Purānic (https://archive.org/details
/hindumythologyve00inwilk/page/365/mode/1up) (3rd ed.). Calcutta: London Missionary Society.
p. 365. "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."

7. Account of the several Manus and Manwantaras (http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.htm)

Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080706055829/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.
htm) 2008-07-06 at the Wayback Machine 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 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...

8. Pralaya (http://www.sacred-texts.com/the/sd/sd2-1-18.htm) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web

/20080706191126/http://www.sacred-texts.com/the/sd/sd2-1-18.htm) 2008-07-06 at the Wayback
Machine The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky, Vol. 2, p. 307 THE SEVEN AND FOURTEEN MANUS.

9. His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Teachings of Lord Caitanya (Third Edition):
The Golden Avatara (https://books.google.com/books?id=2-VhBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT109) . The
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. pp. 109\u2013. ISBN 978-91-7149-730-7.

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10. Wilson, Horace Hayman; trans. (1840) "Vishńu Puráńa (http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.ht

m) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080706055829/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/v
p075.htm) 2008-07-06 at the Wayback Machine", Sacred-Texts.com. Contains an account of the
several Manus and Manwantaras.

11. Page 17, Dasam Granth, SS Kapoor

12. Shankar, P.N (1 January 1985). A guide to the night sky (http://scipop.iucaa.in/Literature/pnshankar_g
uidetonitesky.pdf) (PDF). Bangalore: Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishat. Archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20210625131403/http://scipop.iucaa.in/Literature/pnshankar_guidetonitesky.pdf) (PDF)
from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2019.

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