Ancient rishis of Bharatham-1

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Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 9:37.AM.
Post-1.
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Bharatiya  culture and nationalism have been evolved and fostered over the millenia by India’s ancient rishis, who at the banks of holy rivers of Saptasindhu and Saraswati had composed the Vedic literature – the very foundation of Indian civilization. The term “rishi” or “rsi” originally denoted the composers and singers of Vedic hymns. However, the rishi is also a ‘sage’ to whom the Gods revealed the Vedas (knowledge of the eternal truths about the Creator, His creation and means to preserve it).

The 3 chief classes of Rishi are the Brahmarishi, born of the mind of Brahma, the Devarishi and Rajarishi or kings who became Rishis through their knowledge and austerities, such as Janaka, Ritaparna, etc. The Shrutarishi are authors of shastras as Sushruta. The Kandarishi are of the karmakanda, such as Jaimini. Sapta rishis are two Sanskrit words meaning “seven sages”. Some of the great Rishis (sages) of India are:

1.Kashyapa

He was one of the ancient Saptarishis. He was the son of Rishi Marichi. He was the father of the Devas, Daityas, Danavas and all humankind.

2.Markandeya

Markandeya was an ancient Indian Rishi and he is known as author of religious Hindu texts. Markandeya was a devotee of both Lord Vishnu (Vaishnavas) or Lord Shiva (Shaivas). Markandeya is one of the Chiranjeevin – the immortals in Hinduism. On the basis of his interactions of people known in Hinduism, it is sure that Markandeya lived through more yugas. He is the author of important Hindu scriptures like Markandeya Purana, which says that sage Jaimini, the disciple of Ved Vyasa, asked Markandeya to explain to him some difficult parts of the Mahabharata. Rishi Markandeya composed the ‘Devi Saptashati’ or the seven hundred hymns extolling the virtues of the Divine Goddess at the Shakti-peetha near Nashik.

3.Kapila

Called the Father of Cosmology. Acharya Kapil was born to the illustrious sage Kardam and Devhuti. He also gifted the world with the Sankhya School of Thought. His pioneering work threw light on the nature and principles of the ultimate Soul (Purusha), primal matter (Prakruti) and creation. His concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on atma, non-atma and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in an elite class of master achievers – incomparable to the discoveries of other cosmologists. On his assertion that Prakruti, with the inspiration of Purusha, is the mother of cosmic creation and all energies.

4.Vasishtha

One of the Saptarishis. He was the Maanasa-putra (“a brain child”) of Brahma. He possessed the divine cow known as Kamadhenu and the Kamadhenu’s calf Nandini. Vashishtha is the author of some parts in the Rig Veda and was the Guru of many illustrious kings like Harishchandra, Lord Rama and King Samvarna.

5.Bharadwaja

Also known as Bharadwaj Gotra, a descendant of Rishi Angira (Vedic sage who wrote most of the Atharva Veda). Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana (in the epic Ramayana) met many rishis and sages including Bharadwaja.

Acharya Bharadwaja had a hermitage in the holy city of Prayagraj, authored the ” Yantra Sarvasva ” which includes astonishing and outstanding discoveries in aviation science, space science and flying machines. He has described three categories of flying machines: (1) One that flies on earth from one place to another. (2) One that travels from one planet to another. (3) And one that travels from one universe to another.

To be continued ...

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