( If any link brings you to this page, that means that the link-word is the name of a sage. You can find here the details pertaining to that name. A brief introduction about sages is added in the beginning. Rishi or Muni is the usual word used to describe a sage. In the word Rishi, the RI is the special vowel sound like 'RI' in 'Krishna'. In the word Muni, the 'N' is pronounced like 'n' in 'nib'. )
Sages are those who dedicate themselves to penance and sacrifices to the propitiation of gods meant for the welfare of all the beings and world. Depemdimg on the standars they attained in penance, they are referred to as Rishis, Raajarshis,Brahmarshis and Devarshis. Also, for every Vedic chant, there is one particular rishi, to whom the chant was attributed as first 'comprehended' or 'seen' or 'heard'(shritha=heard) by him. Again, the words muni and rishi are not the same in meaning as rishi( sage) is a far higher staus than a muni (ascetic or hermit). But in our document, for our purpose we can take both as synonymous.
During the creation process, in each Kalpa, each of the Manu rules the creation and there are seven sages in that particular Kalpa, as are particular positions for gods, Indra etc. ( It is just like formation of new cabinet or council of ministers for a new reign by a new ruler nowadays ). This group of Seven sages are often referred to as 'Saptharshis ( saptha=7,rishi=sage). Interestingly, we see a group of seven stars in the sky referred to by this name. That group passes through each star ( Ashvini etc. 27 in all) in one hundred years, taking 2700 years to complete one cycle through the entire twelve constellations comprising all the twenty seven stars.
In general too, there were many sages in our country in the past. They were immursed in their penance after renouncing the world. Their penance would give them supernatural powers. Some of them attain such a great state that they even defeat the gods with their powers. In Mahaabhaaratham, there was mention of several rishis. Some of the prominent rishis are, Vasishtha, Athri,Kashyapa,Bharadvaaja, Vishvaamithra,Udanka,Vyaasa,Agasthya, Durvaasas,Kanva,Maarkandeya etc. Of divine sages, Pulasthya, Pulaha,Kashyapa,Krathu,Naarada, Brihaspathi, Shukra, Uchathya etc are famous. In this link, a very brief note of the sages mentioned in Mahaabhaaratham will be given at the end of this write-up.Details can be seen in Mahaabhaagavatham etc. It was mentioned in several places in the Books that sages and gods together escaleted any great problem to Lord Brahma or Lord Vishnu for solution.
The seven names of the seven sages of each Manu are as below, as also given in the link 'manu' . As to the names of the corresponding kings and indras , please refer to Mahaabhaagavatham. For further minute details of our time division, refer to any almanac ( panchaangam). Remember, the names differ from text to text, due to errors and variations.
Name of each Manu | Names of the corresponding seven sages of each term |
Svaayambhuva | Mareechi,Athri,Angiras,Pulasthya,Pulaha,Krathu,Vasishtha. |
Svaarochishaa | Oorjas,Sthambha,Praana,Daththaali,Rishabha,Neevaara,Arivaan. |
Uththama | EEsha,Oorja,Bhhorja,Madhu,Maadhava,Nabhasya,Saha. |
Thaamasa | Jyothisdhaama,Prithu,Gaavyarshi,Chaithanya,Agni,Balaaka,Pepara |
Ryvatha | Hiranyaroma,Vedashree,Oordhvabaahu,Vasishtha,Vedabaahu,Sudaama,Parjanya . |
Chaakshusha | Sumegha,Virajas,Haridvaan,Unnatha,Madhu,Sahishnu,Vimala. |
Vyvasvatha | Athri,Vasishtha,Kashyapa,Gouthama,Vishvaamithra,Bharadvaaja,Jamadagni. |
Sooryasaavarni | Gaalava,Deepthimaan,Parashuraama,Ashvaththaama,Kripa,Rishyashrings,Vyaasa. |
Dakshasaavarni | Medhaathithi,Vasu,Sathya,Jyothishmaan,Savana,Havyavaahana. |
Brahmasaavarni | Apobhoothi,Havishman,Sumathi,Sathya,Naabhaaga,Aprathima,Vasishtha. |
Dharmasaavarni | Havishmaan,Drishti,Vasishtha,Aruni,Nishchara,Anagha,Vishteeya. |
Rudrasaavarni | Dyuthi,Thapasvi,Suthapa,Thapomoorthi,Thaporathi,Thaponidhi,Thapodhrithi. |
Devasaavarni | Dhrithimaan,Niruchchaka,Thathvadarshi,Nirmoha,Suthapa,Nishtrakuva,Thapa. |
Indrasaavarni | Agneedhra,Agnibaahu,Shuchi,Mukhya,Maadhava,Shuka,Ajitha. |
Now, the seventh term i.e. of Vyvasvatha manu is running. That is why we recite ' in the term of Vyvasvatha Manu ' before starting any religious cermony while quoting the place and time of the performance.
Now, we will look at the sages ie rishis or munis mentioned in Mahaabhaaratham.
Name of the sage | Context of his mention | brief details if available |
Shounaka | Mentioned in Aadi Parva. Many books start with his mention. | Son of Shunaka. Performer of many sacrifices. Instrumental in recital of many stories by Sootha. |
Ulooka | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Nanda | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Chyavana | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Koushika | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Maandavya | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Dileepa | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Pylagarga | Mentioned in Udyoga parva, by bheesma | One of the sages at whose hermitages Amba undertook penance. |
Agasthya | Mentioned in Udyoga and Aaranya parvas. | He cursed Nahusha to become a snake.He drank off the water in the sea. He killed the demon Vaathaapi by eating and getting him digested. |
Angiras | Mentioned in Udyoga and Ashvamedha parvas. He exulted Indra. | Father of Brihaspathi and Samvartha. A prime sage of the Vedic times. His hymns are prime . |
Vaalmeeka | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Maruth | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Kushika | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Vaamadeva | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Bhooridyumna | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Gaya | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Kratha | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Shukra | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador |
Bhrigu | mentioned in udyoga parva | met Krishna when he was going to the kouravas as ambassador.Sages of this linage were known as Bhrigus. |
Richeeka | Mentioned in Aadi and Udyoga parvas. | Parashuraama's grandfather |
Dhaamas | Mentioned in udyoga parva | Live in the underworlds. |
Dhoomapas | Mentioned in udyoga parva | Live in the underworlds. |
Vykhaanasas | Mentioned in udyoga parva | Live in the underworlds. |
Kanva | Mentioned in Udyoga,Mousala and Shaanthi parvas.Another in Aadi parva | Advised Duryodhana for peace.Cursed Yaadava youth alongwith other sages. Met Yudhishthira after the war.The Aadi parva reference (Shakunthala's father) might be a different one. |
Parvatha | Mentioned in Aashramavaasa parva | Went along with Naarada to see Dhritharaashtra |
Devala | Mentioned in Aashramavaasa parva and Shaanthi parva. | Went along with Naarada to see Dhritharaashtra. Mentioned by Arjuna taiking to Krishna in Ashvamedha parva. Met yudhishthira after the war (in shaanthi parva). |
Chithrasena | Mentioned in Aashramavaasa parva | Went along with Naarada to see Dhritharaashtra |
Vishvaavasu | Mentioned in Aashramavaasa parva | Went along with Naarada to see Dhritharaashtra |
Devamatha | Mentioned in Ashvamedha Parva. Krishna related to Arjuna a talk between Naarada and Devamatha. | |
Devasthaana | Mentioned in Ashvamedha parva in Yudhishthira's talk to Naarada. | Met yudhishthira after the war (in shaanthi parva). |
Pyla | Vyaasa's disciple | Mentoned at many places. Eg, in Asvhamedha parva. |
Yaajnavalkya | Vyshampaayana's disciple. | Mentioned in Ashvamedha parva. |
Samvartha | Son of Angiras. Younger brother of Brihaspathi. | Conducted Maruththa's famous sacrifice. Mentioned in Ashvamedha parva. |
Aangirasa | One of the sages that went to Brahma for learning. | Mentioned in Ashamedha parva, in the dialogue between teacher and disciple |
Bhaaradvaaja | One among the group of sages that went to Brahma for learning. | Mentioned in Ashvamedha parva. |
Gouthama | One among the group of sages that went to Brahma for learning. | Mentioned in Ashvamedha parva. |
Bhaargava | One among the group of sages that went to Brahma for learning. | Mentioned in Ashvamedha parva. |