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Saptarishis in Hinduism

Saptarishis are the seven great seers in Hinduism. They are believed to have existed even before the Vedic period. They are divine beings and they are stars. They reside in the sky. The saptarishis are – Brhaspati, Kashyapa, Gautama, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni and Vasishta.

Saptarishis are seven in number and are possessed of seven virtues. They are all long-lived and composers of Vedic mantras or hymns possessed of divine powers and transcendent vision and senior in merits, learning and age. They are credited with an intuitive or direct perception of Dharma or the divine law. (Vayu Purana)


Sri Krishna mentions about them in the Mahabharata and they were born of His will.

All these Seven Seers are Prajapatis, possessing uncommon spiritual glow and wisdom. Being creators of beings, they are known as the Seven Brahmas. (Mahabharata, Shanti Parva)

Ursa Major constellation or Great Bear constellation is known as Saptarishi in Hinduism.

Saptarishis live for a Kalpa or day of Brahma – it is equal to 4,320,000,000 human years. At the end of a Kalpa they merge in the Supreme Truth or Brahman. At the start of the next cycle of creation, they appear again.

The name of the Saptarishis varies from scripture to scripture.

Rishi Panchami observed on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha Panchami is dedicated to Sapta Rishis.

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