Rishis (Sages) in Hinduism

 Hello Everyone !!!

Rishi is a term for an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mentions in various Hindu Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas.

Mentioned in Scriptures :

  • "The 7 great sages of old, 4 elders, 14 Manus also are of My nature and born of My mind and from them all these creatures in the world." - Gita 10.6
  • The 7 Rishis of this Manvantar :-- (Bhagvatam 8.13.5)

          Atri, Brigu, Kutsa, Vasistha, Gautama, Kashyap, Angiras.

  • The Sapta-rishis show pravriti-marga, the 4 elders (4 Kumaras) show nivruti-marga.

The 7 Virtues of being a Sapta-rishi :

Long life, clairvoyance, divinity, high Vedic status, divine visionary, in-charge of a Gotra.

The 11 Types of Rishis : (Baudhayana Dharmasutra)

  1.  Srutarshi - one who hears Vedas from teachers.
  2. Kandarshi - rishis of different sections of Vedas
  3. Taparshi - who do severe penance
  4. Satyarshi - truthful learners
  5. Devarshi - Rishi of demigods/ deities
  6. Saptarshi
  7. Maharishi
  8. Paramrishi
  9. Brahma-rishi
  10. Rajarshi
  11. Janarishi

The 2 New Types according to Sage Patanjali :

  • Mantrakrit - the composers of Vedic hymns
  • Mantrakritsama - writers of Vedangas

The 10 Types of Rishis : (Ramayana & Mahabharata)

  1. Grihasta-ashrami (householder sage)
  2. Urdhvretas (lifelong celibates)
  3. Ashrama-vasis
  4. Yayavara (wanderers)
  5. Purohit-vrittikas (priestly saints)
  6. Usual types Rishis
  7. Teachers
  8. Rishis teaching warfare (Kshatriya rishis)
  9. Ugra tapasvis (those who perform severe penance)
  10. Rishis performing ordinary austerity


Thanks for Reading !!! 

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