rishis

Rishi is a term from Sanskrit meaning seer or sage. In Hindu tradition, a rishi is a sage who has attained deep spiritual insight and is believed to have received or perceived sacred knowledge directly, often in the form of hymns or mantras. Rishis are traditionally associated with the revelation and transmission of the Vedas, and many sages are credited as the composers or compilers of Vedic hymns. Their sayings and lineages are cited throughout the Vedas, the Upanishads, and other Hindu scriptures.

Rishis are frequently depicted as teachers and sages whose insights formed the basis of Hindu philosophy, cosmology, and ritual life. The idea of rishis emphasizes personal realization and the transmission of knowledge through lineage, sometimes described as a chain of enlightened minds passing wisdom to disciples. In addition to individual rishis, Hindu tradition recognizes groups such as the Sapta Rishi or Seven Sages, who are revered as primordial seers associated with stellar and cosmic origins. The exact names of the Sapta Rishi vary by text, but a common traditional list includes Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu, and Bhrigu, with some traditions adding or substituting others like Vasishtha or Kashyapa.

Famous rishis in Hindu literature include Vasishtha and Vishvamitra, Bharadvaja, Agastya, and Kashyapa, among others. In later texts, the term rishi also appears as a respectful designation for learned sages and teachers, including various Upanishadic sages such as Yajnavalkya and Gargi. Overall, rishis occupy a central role as transmitters of sacred knowledge and as exemplars of spiritual insight within Hindu tradition.