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Rishi

Rishi is a term in Hinduism and Indian philosophy referring to a seer or sage who has attained deep spiritual insight. The word derives from Sanskrit rṣi, meaning "seer" or "one who sees." In Vedic literature, a rishi is a composer and transmitter of hymns, traditionally seen as a revealed sage who gained knowledge through tapas (austerity) and divine inspiration. The Vedas, especially the Rigveda, are often attributed to groups of rishis, and the tradition recognizes a line of sages associated with particular families or gotras. The concept of the Saptarishi, seven legendary sages who symbolize cosmic order, appears in multiple Hindu traditions, with varying lists that typically include well-known rishis such as Vasishta and Vishvamitra among others.

In Hindu myth and scripture, rishis are revered for their spiritual insight and role as teachers of

Notable people with the given name Rishi include the Indian actor Rishi Kapoor and the British politician

dharma.
They
are
portrayed
as
custodians
of
Vedic
knowledge
and
as
founders
of
lineages
that
continue
through
generations.
The
term
is
also
used
in
modern
times
as
a
given
name
for
men
in
India
and
among
the
Indian
diaspora.
Rishi
Sunak,
who
has
served
as
Prime
Minister
of
the
United
Kingdom.
The
name
remains
common
in
South
Asia
and
in
Hindu
communities
worldwide.