Rishi

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Rishi (Sanskritm., ऋषि ṛṣi, from dṛṣ "to see") refers in Hinduism to a seer or mythical sage. The sacred Hindu texts, the Vedas, were revealed to the rishis. The rishis are priests, authors of Vedic hymns, saints, ascetics, prophets and hermits all rolled into one. The rishis are credited with the ability to work miracles or cure diseases. They are often regarded as the poets of sacred texts, which they are said to have "heard" directly as divine revelation (cf. Shruti).

Various groups of rishis are mentioned:

  • Brahmarishis who were directly appointed by Brahma or are Brahmins. They are considered the founders of the orthodox Brahmin families.
  • Saptarishis (Sanskritसप्तर्षि saptarṣi), a group of seven Rishis (Saptarishi) who, according to Atharvaveda, shaped the world through their sacrifice. The seven Rishis are mentioned in the Brahmanas as typical representatives of the mythical period; in the Shatapatha Brahmana 14,5,2,6, their names are Gotama, Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, Kashyapa and Atri. In the Mahabharata, Marici, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya and Vasishtha are mentioned. The 7 Rishis are often associated with the seven brightest stars of the Big Dipper. Rudolf Steiner, however, also speaks of an assignment to the Pleiades.

„Let us take the seven holy Rishis. They were so initiated into the solar mysteries that the symbol of their initiation is the standing of the sun in the constellation of Taurus; and what we can see in the firmament when the sun stands in the constellation of Taurus, that indeed gives the mystery of the peculiar initiation of the Rishis, and this initiation worked through the seven personalities who were the seven holy Rishis. This is expressed by the fact that from the same place shines the Pleiades. This is the place where our whole solar system entered our universe. Thus one can express the initiation into the various kinds of solar mysteries by taking the forms of expression from the standing of the sun in a constellation.“ (Lit.:GA 124, p. 236)

  • Devarishis, who through their strict asceticism (tapas) have attained almost the same position as the gods (devas).
  • Maharishis, the great seers
  • Rajarishis, the kings who have become rishis through their continuous asceticism.

Literature

References to the work of Rudolf Steiner follow Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works (CW or GA), Rudolf Steiner Verlag, Dornach/Switzerland, unless otherwise stated.
Email: verlag@steinerverlag.com URL: www.steinerverlag.com.
Index to the Complete Works of Rudolf Steiner - Aelzina Books
A complete list by Volume Number and a full list of known English translations you may also find at Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works
Rudolf Steiner Archive - The largest online collection of Rudolf Steiner's books, lectures and articles in English.
Rudolf Steiner Audio - Recorded and Read by Dale Brunsvold
steinerbooks.org - Anthroposophic Press Inc. (USA)
Rudolf Steiner Handbook - Christian Karl's proven standard work for orientation in Rudolf Steiner's Collected Works for free download as PDF.