SAPTA RISHIS

The word Rishi means the person who is traveling towards “Rutham”- the ultimate truth. Rishis are always in search Truth. The toils, efforts, penances, researches and austerities of the Rishis are to unfold the ultimate truth. The knowledge obtained in that process, is conveyed the humanity at large for its well-being and happiness. Indian sciences, Arts and every branch of Indian learning owe their allegiance these great souls-Rishis.

Sapta Rishis are the prominent among them; even today they appear to us as the brilliant stars in the sky.

Sapta Rishis are;

1. Agastya

2. Atri

3. Angiras

4. Kashyapa

5. Bhrigu

6. Vashishta

7. Vishwamitra.

Agastya:

Agastya is one among the Sapta Rishis. He is a brother of Sage Vashishta. He was born from a pot.

Legend says that he had stopped the growth of Vindhya Mountains. On the request of Devatas, he had swallowed the ocean; he had suitably instructed on spiritual things and asked him to stay at Panchavati by giving certain weapons charmed and charged by mantras.

At battlefield he taught Rama, the famous mantra “Adithya Hridaya”. The hymns of this mantra appear to us, as the praises offered to Sun God.

In southern India, he is considered to be the founding father of the medical science called Siddha Medicine.

In the name of Agastya there are many Sanskrit texts, which discuss the utilization of power, and power generation (today’s electricity etc). They are “Shakti Tantra & Shakti Sambita”.

During the month of Bhadrapada, Agastya appears as a bright star in the night sky.

Atri Maharshi:

Atri was one among the seven seers of yore. Atri’s wife was Anusuya. He was the brainchild of Brahma, the creator. This sage had assisted Brahma in creating life on the planets.

Atri’s wife Anusuya was also a spiritual powerhouse. Legend says the Tri-moorthis were transformed into small babies and were fed by her.

Atri had given hospitality to Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshamana, during their stay in the forests.

In Rig Veda, there are hymns called Atri Sambita, which were perceived by him.

Atreya Dharma satra or Atreya Smriti is a famous Dharma sastra text. Even today many Hindus follow his code of Ethics.

Angirasa:

Angirasa was also a brainchild of Brahma, the creator aspect of divine function. Like Sage Atri, he also had assisted Brahma in building this creation. He had married Shraddha the daughter of Prajapati Kardama. Angirasa lineage had multiplied and his descendents became famous.

He had contributed Angirasa Smriti, a Dharma Sastra text. Angirasa had compiled many mantras in Atharva Veda. In Upanishads, we find reference of sage Angirasa. He had revealed the secrets of Omkar Mantra. He glows as one of the celesrial star in the night sky.

Bhrigu Maharshi:

Sage Bhrigu was a brainchild of Brahma. He is also considered to be one among the Nine Brahmas. He was the founding father of Bhrigu lineage.

He married Khyati a daughter of Kardama Prajapati. When Rishis of yore performed a yagna and wanted to convey the fruits of yagna to the best among Brahma, Vishnu and Siva; they deputed sage Bhrigu to find best among the Trimoorthis.

There is an astrological text in the name of Bhrigu. He had taught sage Bharadwaj, the cosmic principles. He had revealed many subtle aspects of righteousness to many of his disciples.

Kashyapa Maharshi:

He is the son of mariachi, one of the ten Brahma Mnasa Putras (son’s progenerated through Brahma’s Mental Resolve). The Prajapati Daksha gave his thirteen daughters (Aditi, Diti, Kadru, Danu, etc.) in marriage to Kashyapa. In the family line of kashyapa, along with him there are two more discoverers of Mantras, namely, his sons Avatsara and Asita.

The twelve Adityas are sons of Aditi and Kashyapa. He was the father of the Devas, Asuras, Nagas, Apsaras, Gandharvas, Rahu and all of humanity. . His second wife, Diti, begot the Daityas. Garuda and Aruna are also sons of Kashyapa.

He had composed Kashyapa Samhita, a vaastu sastra text, which reveals the technique of engineering skills of building King’s palaces, temples, etc.

Vashishtha:

Vashishtha was the chief of the seven venerated sages or Sapta Rishis and the Raja guru of the Suryavamsha or Solar Dynasty, the lineage of Lord Rama. He was the manasaputra of Brahma (Brainchild). He had in his possession the divine cow Kamadhenu and Nandini her child, who could grant anything to their owners, worshippers and devotees.

Arundhati is the wife of Vashishtha and appears as the small star of the stellar constellation Ursa Major (Sapta Rishi mandala) beside the big star Vashishtha.

Vashishtha is credited as the chief seer of mandala 7 of the Rigveda. Immortal treatise dedicated by him to the humanity is “Vashishtha Samhita” – a book on Vedic system of Astrology (Muhurta/muhurt)

“Yoga Vashishtha”, is an ancient scripture narrated by sage Vashishtha to Rama. This scripture covers all the topics that are related to the spiritual study of a seeker.

“Vashishtha Smriti” is a Dharma Sastra Text and is as famous as Manu Smriti. He was instrumental in the evolution of Vishwamitra an ordinary king into great sage Brahmarhsi Vishwamitra.

Vishwamitra:

Brahmarshi Vishwamitra is one of the most venerated Rishis or sages of ancient India. He is also the exponent of most of the Mandala 3 of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra.

The ordinary King Kaushika, after having a quarrel with sage Vashishta, for owning the divine cow, realized the power obtained by penances was far greater than mere physical might. He renounced his kingdom and began his quest to become a greater Rishi than Vashishtha. He took on the name Vishwamitra.

In the process of becoming Brahmarsi, he had even created a new universe (heaven) called Trisanku Swarga.

Vishwamitra trains Young Rama & Lakshamana. He gives them the knowledge of the Devastras or celestial weaponry.

There were many sages who had contributed immensely to the spiritual wealth of India. It includes principles of material sciences, which the modern science is yet to reveal.