{{short description|Seven sages of Hinduism, Jainism}} {{more citations needed|date=August 2018}} [[File:Saptarishi. The Seven Sages.jpg|thumb|One variation of the Saptarshi: Vishvamitra (top left), Jamadagni (top centre), Gautama (top right), Vashishtha (centre right, beardless), Kashyapa (bottom left), Bharadvaja (bottom middle, in a yogic asana, upside down), Atri (bottom right). Pahari painting, from a Bandralta-Mankot workshop, {{circa|1700}}, displayed at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh.]] {{Hinduism}}
[[File:Saptarishi.gif|thumb|right|250px|A diagram of the Big Dipper constellation, with the seven stars identified with the names of another variation of the Saptarshi, in accordance with traditional Hindu astronomy]] The '''Saptarshi''' ({{Langx|sa|सप्तर्षि|lit=Seven sages}} {{IAST3|Saptarṣi}}) are the seven seers of ancient India who are extolled in the Vedas, and other Hindu literature such as the Skanda Purana.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-24 |title=Saptarshi, Saptarishi, Saptarṣi, Saptaṛṣi: 13 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/saptarshi |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027061730/https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/saptarshi |url-status=live }}</ref> 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, Vasistha, and Vishvamitra. This is followed by Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 2.2.6 with a slightly different list: Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vasistha, and Vishvamitra. The later Gopatha Brahmana 1.2.8 gives yet another variation: Vasistha, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Gautama, Bharadvaja, Gungu, Agastya, and Kashyapa.
In post-Vedic texts, different lists appear; some of these rishis<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jaibhole.co.in/articles/who-are-saptarishi|title=Who are Saptarshi, the importance of their worship|website=Jai Bhole|access-date=2020-09-02|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613184820/https://jaibhole.co.in/articles/who-are-saptarishi|url-status=live}}</ref> were recognized as the 'mind-born sons' (Sanskrit: मानस 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 === {{Main|Manu (Hinduism)|Manvantara}}
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''.<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, 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=S. V. |year=2010 |chapter=Ch. 1.2.4 Time Measurements |editor-last1=Hull |editor-first1=Robert |editor-last2=Osgood |editor-first2=Richard M. Jr. |editor-link2=Richard M. Osgood Jr. |editor-last3=Parisi |editor-first3=Jurgen |editor-last4=Warlimont |editor-first4=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 |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=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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706055829/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.htm|date=2008-07-06}} 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 died. 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706191126/http://www.sacred-texts.com/the/sd/sd2-1-18.htm |date=2008-07-06 }} 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'' (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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706055829/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.htm |date=2008-07-06 }}", ''Sacred-Texts.com''. Contains an account of the several Manus and Manwantaras.</ref> Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu, Marichi, Vasishta. |- | 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)''' || Bhrigu, Kashyapa, Agastya, Jamadagni, Gautama, Vishvamitra, Bharadvaja |- | Savarni|| Diptimat, Galava, Parashurama, 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 |}
=== Lists === <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 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.<ref>Page 17, Dasam Granth, SS Kapoor</ref>
== Astronomy == In ancient Indian astronomy, the pattern of stars known in North America as the Big Dipper and elsewhere in the West as the Plough, or the Great Wagon, (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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shankar |first1=P.N |url=http://scipop.iucaa.in/Literature/pnshankar_guidetonitesky.pdf |title=A guide to the night sky |date=1 January 1985 |publisher=Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishat |location=Bangalore |access-date=5 March 2019 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625131403/http://scipop.iucaa.in/Literature/pnshankar_guidetonitesky.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
In Hindu astronomy, the seven stars of the Saptarshi Mandala, or Big Dipper are called:
{| 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"|Dubhe |- |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Pulaha |style="padding: 1px 10px"|β UMa |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Merak |- |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Pulastya |style="padding: 1px 10px"|γ UMa |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Phecda |- |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Atri |style="padding: 1px 10px"|δ UMa |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Megrez |- |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Angiras |style="padding: 1px 10px"|ε UMa |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Alioth |- |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Vasistha |style="padding: 1px 10px"|ζ UMa |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Mizar |- |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Marichi |style="padding: 1px 10px"|η UMa |style="padding: 1px 10px"|Alkaid |}
Vasishtha is accompanied by Arundhati, a faint companion star (Alcor/80 Ursa Majoris).
==See also== {{commons category}} * Nachiketa * Dhruva * Apkallu
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Rishis of Hindu mythology}} {{Rigveda}}
Category:Rishis Category:Hindu astronomy Category:Saptarishi