The Indian soil has birthed many Vedic rishis who transcended ordinary human intellect and knowledge by means of 'tapas' and could therefore see deep cosmic truths.
Some prominent names are Vishvamitra, Vasishtha, Bharadvaja, Vamadeva, Atri, Grtsamada, Dirghatamas, Gotama, Parashara, Kashyapa, Kanva and others. The ancient ancestors of these rishis were Angira, Bhrigu, Atharva and Trita Aptya.
The Rig Veda mentions Romasha, Lopamudra, Apala, Kadru, Visvavara, Ghosha, Juhu, Vagambhrini, Paulomi, Yami, Indrani, Savitri, and Devajami.
The Sama Veda adds Nodha, Akrishtabhasha, Sikatanivavari and Gaupayana. Some prominent women rishis were Apala Atreyi, Ghosha Kakshivati, Lopamudra, Vishvavara, Vak Ambhrni.
The Upanishad rishis who had the same vision of Vedic rishis, but simplified the terminology and pedagogy of the spiritual philosophy. Some prominent names are Uddalaka Aruni, Yajnavalkya, Satyakama Jabala, Upakosala Kamalayana, Janaka, Janashruti, Sayugva Raikva, Pravahana Jaivali, Sanatkumara, Gargi, Maitreyi, and others.
The brilliant rishis who contributed to various fields of knowledge. Some prominent names are Kautilya, Panini, Patanjali, Vararuchi, Yaska, Gautama, Kanada, Sushruta, Jaimini, Kapila, Vatsyayana, Bharatamuni, etc.
The great poets whose immortal works are praised and appreciated all over the world even today. The first poet was Valmiki, Kalidasa, Bhasa, Bhavabhuti, Bharavi, Vishakhadatta, Shudraka, Magha, Dandin, Upavarsha, Harsha, Bana, Kaiyata, Upendra Bhanja, Sarala Das etc.
The great acharyas who wrote commentaries on important works to elucidate the meaning, as well as established significantly new systems of philosophy and religious practive. Some prominent names are Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha, Vacaspati Mishra, Mandana Mishra, Sureshvara, Vidyaranya, Sayana, Vedanta Deshika, and others.
Our Rishis are Primeval scientists, cosmo biological catalysts. Rishi always exists and their natural background radiation impacts our cellular networks/functions and are eternal human-nature symbiotic pioneers across the biosphere called Bharath.. ie. Earth. After centuries of suppression, there has been a resurgence of interest and recognition of the value of traditional knowledge which are nothing but ever lasting life sciences for humanity to prosper without harming the nature. We are not only knowing our true history now but will find growing on it since time immemorial - A mystery.
Women Rishis (Rishika) in the Rig Veda Samhita; one or more mantra was revealed to each Rishika
(Rigveda Verse; Rishika Name)
- 4.18 Aditi
- 10.72 Aditirdakshayani
- 8.91 Apala atreyi
- 10.86 Indrani
- 10.85 Urvashi
- 10.134 Godha
- 10.39, 10.40 Gosha Kakshivati
- 10.109 Juhurbramhajaya
- 10.184 Tvashta Garbhakarta
- 10.107 Dakshina Prajapatya
- 10.154 Yami
- 10.10 Yami Vaivasvati
- 10.127 Ratrirbharadvaji
- 1.171 Lopamudra
- 10.28 Vasukrapatni
- 10.125 Vagambhrni
- 5.28 Vishvavara Atreyi
- 8.1 Sashvatyangirasi
- 10.151 Shradhda Kamayani
- 10.159 Shachi Paulomi
- 10.189 Sarparajni
- 9.86 Sikata Nivavari
- 10.85 Surya Savitri
- 1.126 Romasha
- 10.108 Sarama Devashuni
- 9.104 Shikhandinyava Psarasau Kashyapan
- 10.142 Jarita Sharngah
- 8.71 Suditirangirasah
- 10.153 Indra Mataro
Muni ( मुनि ) is derived from manan ( मनन् ), Sanskrit root/verb ( धातु ). Manan means to think. Muni is someone who does introspection ( अन्तर्दर्शन ) or who is thoughtful.
According to Srimad Bhagwadam; Muni is one who is expert in mental speculation or in thinking (remember मनन् ) or feeling.
According to Srimad Bhagvad Gita (2.56); Muni is one who can agitate his mind in various ways for mental speculation without coming to a factual description. And where does this mental speculation come from? Introspection ( अन्तर्दर्शन )
Maunam acarati iti muni ( मौनं आचरति इति मुनिः )- One who maintains the vow of silence to prevent distraction during his penance (tapas.)
Rishi( ऋषि )- In Vedas, the word denotes an inspired poet of vedic hymns, who alone or with others invokes the deities with poetry.
Rishi is a title which is given to the one who knows everything about Shashtras and the science( विज्ञान ) behind it. This is the reason why आर्ष वाक्य ( sentences spoken by Rishis) are considered to be utmost true.
One can call rishis as ancient scientists who developed shashtras like kundalini yoga and others.
Rishir darshanat ( ऋषिर दर्शनात् )- Rishi is one who has seen the spiritual truth.
Maharshi (a rishi who is very great in his spirituality),
Rajarshi ( a king who is so spiritual that he is also like a rishi ),
Devarshi ( a deva who is also a rishi)
eg: narada,
Brahmarshi ( a rishi who has seen the supreme Spiritual Truth) eg: vasistha, vishwamitra.
Sadhu- The one with righteous behavior, who is noble and humble. In general a good person.
Sant- It refers to a person who has done a lot of penance( तपस्या ) and is eligible to give knowledge to social people.
Sanyasi- सं + न्यासि (complete renouncer). The one who has given up everything materialistic for the purpose of attaining God.
Bhakti-Yogis: Those who render actual service to the Lord.
Disclaimer: Beware of self-proclaimed-sants in this holy country of ours.
