The Saptarshi are the seven seers of ancient India who are extolled in the Vedas, and other Hindu literature such as the Skanda Purana.[1] 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.
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 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.
See main article: Manu (Hinduism) and 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.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
| 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 | |
| Raivata | Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urdhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhama, Parjanya, and Mahamuni | |
| Sumedha, Viraja, Havishman, Uttar, Madhu, Sahishnu, and Atinama | ||
| Vaivasvata (current) | Vashishta, Kashyapa, Atri, 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 |
1. The Shatapatha Brahmana and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad(2.2.4) acknowledge the names of seven rishis(or Saptarshis) as:
2. The Krishna Yajurveda in the Sandhya-Vandana Mantras has it as:
3. The Mahabharata and Brihat Samhita offer the seven rishis' names as:
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."
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.[11]
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:
| Indian Name | Bayer Designation | Western 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.