Introduction
The Makings of a Rishi The Vedas are known to be apaurusheya (not of human creation). They were revealed by Lord Brahma to certain persons who had attained spiritual knowledge by practising severe austerities. Thus, these persons came to be known as rishis. Since Vedic mantras were revealed to them, they were called mantradrashtaarah (seers of Vedic hymns). Bhrigu, Kavya, Prachetasa, Gritsamada, Nabha, Angirasa, Bharadvaja, Gargya, Kanva, Vamadeva, Kakshivanta, Kasyapa, Vatsara, Raibhya, Atri, Valgutaka, Vasishtha and Kundina were such rishis. In the Rigveda, each mandala (book) is known to have been revealed to a particular rishi or his family. These mandalas are known as 'family books. The rishi of the second mandala was Gritsamada; of the third mandala, Visvamitra; of the fourth, Vamadeva. Similarly, Atri, Bharadvaja, Vasishtha and Kanva are the seers of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth mandalas, respectively. The mantras of the first, ninth and tenth mandalas were contributed by various rishis. Sometimes, these rishis are also known as mantrakritah (composers of mantras) and mantrapatayah (masters of mantras) as the revealed mantras were later transmitted by them to their students who learned through sravana (hearing). A person is not born a rishi; a person has to attain the status of a 'rishi. He generally belonged to the brahmavarna (people of knowledge) as they were known in those days and obtained the status of rishi by tapas (austerity). The word 'rishi' means a person who is continuously on the move to know rta, the ultimate truth. The knowledge obtained in this process is utilized by them for the well-being and happiness of humanity at large. All branches of learning owe their allegiance to these great souls. The Vishnu Purana declares a rishi as one who knows Parabrahman (Supreme Spirit) abiding in the cavity of one's own heart. Such a person attains all his desires while being in Parabrahman. A rishi is a person who has overcome asuric (demonic) qualities like anger, lust, greed, jealousy, arrogance, pride, ignorance and selfishness and has developed daivii (divine) attributes described in the Bhagavad Gita Verse 16.1-3. Some of the daivii qualities are purity of mind, charity, self-control, study of scriptures, austerity, uprightness, non-violence, truth, renunciation and forgiveness. A good definition of a rishi is available in the verse.
About The Author
H.A. Padmini is a software professional dabbling in writing. Born and brought up in Hyderabad, Padmini is an alumna of University College of Engineering, Osmania University. Keenly interested in writing since childhood, she has published quizzes, articles and stories. A collection of short stories for children, Tales of Anantha Bhargava Somayaji, was her first published work. This is her second book on Indian mythology. Padmini loves to take out time for watching movies, travelling and reading. She resides in Bangalore with her parents.
About The Book
How could Sage Vasishtha attribute such an action to him? He lost control of his senses and, in turn, took water in his palm. Madayanti, who was watching in horror, approached him in one swift movement and held his hand. When Mitrasaha turned his face towards her, she shook her head. 'No, my Lord! What is it you are doing? Sage Vasishtha is our kulaguru. Mitrasaha felt ashamed and sprinkled the water on his own feet. At once, his feet became spotted with black marks, and having changed into a demon, he left the palace?
Vedas (1192)
Upanishads (501)
Puranas (633)
Ramayana (746)
Mahabharata (362)
Dharmasastras (167)
Goddess (502)
Bhakti (243)
Saints (1509)
Gods (1294)
Shiva (377)
Journal (184)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (365)
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