Rishi
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A rishi (Sanskrit ऋषि: ṝṣi) is a Hindu saint. rishiban
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[edit] Etymology
The word's etymology is unknown. It has an Avestan cognate ərəšiš (Yasna 31.5) "an ecstatic" (see also Yurodivy, Vates). Monier-Williams tentatively suggests derivation from drś "to see"[1] and he also compares Old Irish arsan, "a sage, a man old in wisdom". A suggestion referenced by Julius Pokorny connects the word to a PIE root *h3er-s meaning "rise, protrude", in the sense of "excellent, egregious" (cognate to English arse). Manfred Mayrhofer in his Etymological Dictionary prefers a connection to either ṛṣ "pour, flow" (PIE *h1ers), or to ras "yell".
[edit] Seer of the Vedas
In the Vedas, the word denotes a singer of sacred hymns, an inspired poet or sage, or any person who alone or with others invokes the deities in rhythmical speech or song of a sacred character. In particular, it refers to the authors of the hymns of the Rigveda. Later generations regarded the Rishis as patriarchal sages or saints, occupying the same position in India history as the heroes and patriarchs of other countries, constituting a peculiar class of beings in the early mythical system, as distinct from Asuras, Devas and mere mortal men.
The main rshis recorded in the Rigveda-Anukramanis include Gritsamada, Vishvamitra, Vamadeva, Atri, Angiras, Bharadvaja, Vasishta, Agastya.
Seven Rishis (the Saptarshi) are often mentioned in the Brahmanas and later works as typical representatives of the character and spirit of the pre-historic or mythical period; in Shatapatha Brahmana 14.5.2.6, their names are Gautama, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, and Atri. In Mahabharata 12, on the other hand, Marici, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya and Vasishtha. In addition to the Saptarshi, there are other classifications of sages. In descending order of precedence, they are Brahmarshi, Maharshi, Rajarshi.
In Hindu astronomy, the Saptarshi form the constellation of Ursa Maior (e. g. RV 10.82.2; AV. 60.40.1. Metaphorically the Saptarshi may stand for the seven senses or the seven vital airs of the body.
[edit] See also
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[edit] Vedic and Upanishadic Rishis
Vedic Rishis
It is believed that spirituality in India originated in the period of the naturalistic life of the Vedas. There people connected to the Spirit through the natural forces of the physical world. In the stone, in elemental and environmental forces, individuals felt a connection to an ultimate spiritual Reality. Life was physical then and their connection to that Reality expressed that way through forms of nature, as well as worship of Gods. Mind and higher emotions had not yet developed to interfere with their pure worship through physical means. Still, it was a great development in the spiritual history of man, perhaps unprecedented until that time.
Upanishadic Rishis
Over time Mind developed, and there resumed the attempt to commune with the ultimate Spiritual reality through this newly evolved faculty. As a result, the period of the Upanishads was ushered in. During that time there was a group of individuals who had a deep urge to connect with and experience the Supreme – i.e. the ultimate transcendent Reality. They began to see that Reality in three aspects; as Existence -- i.e. as pure Spiritual Being; as a Consciousness that that had become aware of its own existence, and as a result generated a Force that that became the energy from which the universe would emerge; and as Delight, taking infinite pleasure in being conscious of Its own Existence. (This is expressed by the three attributes of Sat-Chit-Ananda.) This is roughly equivalent to the fact that I exist as an individual; I am conscious of my existence -- which in turn energizes me; and I delight in being conscious of who I am. These ecstatic devotees -- known as the Rishis -- had the spontaneous experience of the Spirit, and saw how it could be brought into the details of one’s life. These were perhaps the greatest spiritual aspirants of the ancient world.
