Sapt Rishis – Birth of 7 Manasa Putras and with them the abundance transformation of knowledge!

Pick any random Hindu and question him/her on Sapt Rishis, I am sure they will be able to give you the answer. Maybe there will be some discrepancies but the term ‘Sapt Rishis’ is never ‘unknown’ for Hindus. That is the immaculate respect for the Seven Sages. Sapt means Seven and Rishi refer to Sage. Today we will discuss the existence of Sapt Rishis and the genesis of everything (knowledge).

Adi Guru and the emergence of Sapt Rishis – The story of the source

Lord Shiva, known as Adi Guru descends to Bhu Loka. In the chilly mountain hills of Himalayas, Adi Guru commences meditation. Undeterred by cold weather, Shiva continues to meditate. Seeing this many people, including the Sapta rishis, reach him and wait for him to open his eyes. Days pass by, Lord Shiva is unwavering and fully resolute. Not wanting to wait anymore, visitors leave one after the other, except the Sapt rishis who wait for him for 84 years.

These Seven Sages share the same thought process of Lord Brahma and thus called as Manasa Putras. They are equally determined and wait for Lord Shiva to conclude his meditation. Manasa Putras are those who don’t have any parents, they are branched out of Lord Brahma to fulfil the goals set by him.

Sapt Rishis are as follows:

  1. Marichi
  2. Atri
  3. Angiras
  4. Bhrigu
  5. Pulaha
  6. Pulastya
  7. Kratu

Sapta Rishis | Yuga

It is believed that these 7 rishis lived for 200 years between 14600BC to 14400 BC. Every Rishi was keenly waiting for Lord Shiva to open his eyes. The moment had finally come and after a long wait, Adi Guru opens his eyes and looks at Seven Sages. Happy with their determination and the patience, Lord Shiva transforms all his Knowledge to the sapt rishis. They go onto becoming famous, popular and more importantly intellectual souls. All the 7 rishis pen down their learnings from Adi Guru into Vedas, Upanishads and other branches of knowledge.

Contribution of sages to Mankind and the Earth

Bhrigu Maharishi is considered to very important of the seven for his discovery of Astrology. He introduced the term astrology to the world and laid a basic foundation. His thoughts were later compiled into a book called as Bhrigu Samhita. After finishing the task of introducing Astrology to Mankind, he leaves to Swarga Loka to become the priest of Devas.

Angiras Maharishi is next in the list. He is attributed to have institutionalized the rituals concerning fire. He had created the rules of rituals and respecting the fire. His son is Brihaspathi. We know that Brihaspati goes to meet Indra and do yagnas, his wife Tara elopes and marries Chandra. Both of them give birth to transgender Buddh, who marries Manu’s son ila. But, Angiras is known for the institutionalisation of Fire as a ritual and as a part of sacrifices.

Marichi is the father of Kashyap. In previous posts, I had written about the birth of Devathas and Rakshasas. Both Devas and Rakshasas are born from Kashyap’s blood. He is married to Dithi and Adithi. As we known the children from Adithi were Devas and the children from Dithi are Rakshasas.

Atri is another very important Maharishi. He encouraged Vedic writings and had compiled the basics of Rig Veda. He got married to Anasuya and she is considered to be the first Pathi Vratha, who showed utmost loyalty to her husband. There’s a story behind why she is called like that.

Everyone knows that she is very respectful, loyal and honest to his husband Atri. One day the ‘Trimurthis’ land in the Bhu Loka to test her. They come in a Rishi Avatar, unable to trace their originality Anasuya asks them what do they want. All the three ask Anasuya to serve them food but by being naked. Using her power, Anasuya turns the three sages into small babies. Then she gets naked and serves them food. Inspired by her actions the ‘Trimurthis’ bless her with a boon.

Anasuya and Atri have three kids:

  1. Durvasa – Durvasa turns into Rishi like father and he is known to be a very angry person.
  2. Chandra is the 2nd kid born to the couple. Though he is born brahmin, he gets into warfare and lives a Kshatriya life. We know the connection between Chandra and Tara.
  3. Dattatreya – The boon that Trimurthis give was to bless the couple with the boy who has the powers of the 3 murtis. As promised, Datta Treya is born equipped with the powers of Trimurti and immortality.

Pulastya – Pulastya is a brahmin. His descendants are the hated Raavan. He is one among the 7 Manasa Putras.  Like that we have other Sapta rishis Pulaha and Kratu who also did their bit in spreading the knowledge across India.

If we have anything that’s possible in this world, we directly relate it to knowledge and the importance of it in leading a better life. All this knowledge that we are blessed within today’s world is linked to Sapta rishis who lived in this world thousands of years ago!

Published by Sriram

A Teacher trying to Learn new things and explore the world each day! Believe in Happiness by the virtue of sacrifice and forgiveness.

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