Rishi

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Rishi is a term used in many Hindu scriptures. A simple translation of the word into English language would mean a sage. Hindu scriptures and Hindu mythology tell about a number of rishis. They describe a rishi as an old person, with a lot of knowledge and wisdom. They also describe that some of the rishis were having awesome powers, and sometimes even some gods of Hindus like Indra were afraid of rishis. Some of the rishis were famous for their short tempers, and they became angry very soon. Their anger sometimes resulted into their cursing people.

Rishis used to live in deep forests. Many young men form villages and towns also lived with them as their students and disciples. Rishis used to teach them in schools called Gurukuls. After education, these young men returned to live with their families. However, some of them shall always remain with the rishis as their disciples. Sometimes, even kings and other members of the ruling families would go to them to seek advice and blessings. Sometimes these rishis and their disciples would go to the royal courts and participated in discussion there.

Seven such rishis were the most famous. Hindu scriptures have named them as saptarishis, that is, the seven sages. The seven sages included Kashyapa, Atri, Vashitha, Vishvamitra, Gautam, Jamdagni, and Bharadvaja. According to Hindu mythology, these seven sages had become like divine beings. Ancient astrology of Hindus identified these seven sages with the stars of the sky, the Great Bear. Their wives formed the Pleiades.

[edit] See also

• Kashyapa
• Atri
• Vashitha
• Vishvamitra
• Gautam
• Jamdagni
• Bharadvaja

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