Seven prominent Rishis of Rigveda

Seven prominent Rishis of Rigveda

Introduction

In Rigveda, there are around 400 rishis. Out of them seven Rishis standout as the most prominent ones. Ie., Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja, Gouthama, Atri, Vasishta & Kashyapa. 

The entire 67th Sukta of 9th Mandala in Rigveda is attributed to these seven Rishis and verse 2.2.4 of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad specifically recognizes these seven Rishis. In one tradition, these seven Rishis are remembered during "Sandhya Vandana" ritual. 

In another tradition, rishis from sapta-rishi mandala are remembered (representing seven stars of the big dipper).

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you an introductory series on the contribution of seven prominent Rishis of Rigveda as also recognized by Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. (We will share their contribution to Vedic literature, rather than their life story)

Our intention is to encourage you to study Vedic literature and implement them in your day to day life.

All the best.

Vedic Tribe

Madhwesh K

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1. Vishvamitra Rishi

Ramayana gives a detailed life story of Vishvamitra Rishi and pauranik narration differ in few segments.

Most of the third mandala of Rigveda is attributed to Vishvamitra Rishi. In this mandala, 62nd sukta has the famous "Gayatri mantra" as its 10th mantra.

This mantra is known as "vishvamitra gayatri" indicating the valuable contribution of Vishvamitra Rishi.

In our next write-up, we will share contributions by Jamadagni Rishi to Vedic literature.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. Jamadagni Rishi

Jamadagni Rishi is the father of the famous Parashurama. Jamadagni’s defiance to Kartavirya Arjuna’s demand, cost him his life, which made Parashurama take revenge on the Kshatriya clan.

Entire 110th Sukta of 10th Mandala in Rigveda is attributed to Jamadagni Rishi. He has also contributed to a few mantras of the 67th Sukta of 9th Mandala.

Jamadagni Rishi is said to have acquired knowledge of ancient weaponry (Aushanasa Dhanurveda) which was developed further by his son Parashurama for contemporary warfare. This knowledge seems to have ended with Parashurama relinquishing them during Mahabharata where they were finally used up in the Kurukshetra war.

In our next write-up, we will share contributions by Bharadwaja Rishi to Vedic literature.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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3. Bharadwaja Rishi

Bharadwaja Rishi is the father of Dronacharya of Mahabharata.

Most of the mantras in 6th mandala of Rigveda are attributed to Bharadwaja Rishi and his family members. Entire sukta 61 of this mandala is dedicated to "Saraswati". This sukta has great historical and geographical prominence. Many modern scholars rely on this sukta for ascertaining details of Saraswati river, oldest form of Vedic Sanskrit, sapta-sindhu area etc.

Bharadwaja Rishi has also immensely contributed to the development of Pancharatra texts, ritualistic texts for yajnik application of Vedas, ayurvedic texts …etc

In our next write-up, we will share contributions by Gautama Rishi to Vedic literature.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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4. Gautamaama Rishi

Gauthama Rishi is popularly known for cursing Ahalya who was later released by Lord Rama. 

Entire 4th Mandala of Rigveda is attributed to Vamadeva Gautama Rishi. Some texts suggest that he was the son of Gautama Rishi and others suggest it was Gautama Rishi who started the Vamadeva lineage.

Nonetheless, Gautama Rishi’s major contribution has been to “dharma sutras”. The “Gautama Dharma Sutras” developed in his lineage have established authoritative structure for both “srauta” (social / yajnic processes) and “grihya” (household / day-to-day processes). “Gautama Dharma Sutras” developed under Samaveda and stand influential alongside “Apasthamba Sutras” which developed under Shukla-Yajurveda.

In our next write-up, we will share contributions by Atri Rishi to Vedic literature.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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5. Atri Rishi

Atri Rishi along with his spouse Anasuya appear in Ramayana too and though different puranas mention Atri, most of them are his descendants.

The Fifth Mandala of Rigveda is called Atri Mandala, due to the contribution of Atri Rishi and his descendants to this Mandala. Few mantras are directly attributed to Atri Rishi and others are attributed to his descendants (like Babhru Atreya, Avasyu Atreya…etc)

Atri Rishi along with Marichi, Bhrigu and Kashyapa - propagated “Vikhasana” tradition. In Tirupati Balaji Temple and among other prominent temples, “Vikhasana” is strictly adhered to.

In our next write-up, we will share contributions by Vasishta Rishi to Vedic literature.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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6. Vasishta Rishi

In popular culture he is known as the nemesis of Vishvamitra Rishi and has contributed extensively to the development of Yogic principles in Vedanta tradition.

Entire seventh mandala of Rigveda is attributed to Vasishta Rishi. His marital relationship with his wife Arundhati is celebrated by recognizing two stars in Ursa Major Constellation (i.e., Mizar & Alcor) by their names.

His preaching to Lord Rama is captured by Valmiki Rishi in Ramayana and is popularly known as “Yoga Vasishta”

In our next write-up, we will share contributions by Vasishta Rishi to Vedic literature.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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7. Kashyapa Rishi

Kashmir obtained its name from Kashyapa Rishi (Kashyapa Mira meaning Lake Kashyapa)

He is attributed with a few hymns of 9th mandala in Rigveda. The 19th Kanda of Atharvaveda also mentions Kashyapa Rishi.

He immensely contributed to the development of Ayurveda and “Kashyapa Samhita” is part of contemporary practice of Ayurveda even today.

Vedic Tribe is very happy to have brought you this introductory series on the brief contribution of seven major Rishis of Rigveda to the Vedic Tradition.

Our intention is to encourage you to study Vedic literature and implement them in your day to day life.

In our next series we will discuss seven prominent “chandas” (meters) of Rigveda

All the best.

Vedic Tribe

Madhwesh K

 

Three pillars of Vedanta

Three pillars of “Vedanta”

Introduction

The term “vedanta” is popularly viewed as “hindu philosophy”. However, in its original sense, it means “essence of Vedas”. It consists of three pillars - upanishad, brahma-sutra and bhagavad gita.

Within the Vedic text, philosophical discourses by Rishis were classified as “upanishads”. Since these Upanishads discuss the essence of Vedas in a mystical way, they form the first pillar of Vedanta. 

Schools of thoughts in the Vedic tradition are called “darshana”. Two darshanas surviving in practice today are yoga & uttara-mimamsa. Yoga darshana originated from “patanjali’s yoga-sutras” and uttara-mimamsa originated from “badarayana’s brahma-sutras”. Brama-sutras are the aphorisms which provide a systematic interpretation of Veda and hence form the second pillar of Vedanta.

Mahabharata is called “panchama veda” due to its might both in size & quality. There are hundreds of discourses within Mahabharatha which elaborates aspects of Vedanta. However, it is the discourse of Krishna & Arjuna on the eve of Kurukshetra war - which stands out as the highest deliberation of aspects of Vedanta. Hence, Bhagavad gita is considered as the third pillar of Vedanta.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you this introductory series on these three pillars of Vedanta.

Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study Vedanta and adopt its spiritual process in your day-to-day life.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. Upanishad - first pillar of Vedanta

For a lay-person, direct study of veda-mantra does not make any sense. This is due to the fact that Vedas were never composed like poetry; instead they are the expressions of various Rishi’s experiences using language.

When these Rishis conversed and deliberated the essence of their revelations, it was captured in Upanishads. Few examples are given below.

Rigveda mantras are apparently dedicated to more than 30 major deities directly. The essence of all the deities is deliberated in Shvetashvathara Upanishad. Its 11th Mantra is “eko devah…”, which means there is only one God pervading all of existence. This is the essence of Vedas.

Yajurveda mantras are apparently highly ritualistic. Mundaka Upanishad criticizes rituals devoid of spirituality and calls them frail boats bound to sink (1.2- 7 & 8).

Due to this reason, upanishad mantras within Vedic scriptures are considered decisive in understanding the essence of Vedas.

In our next write-up, we will discuss "Brahma Sutra" as the second pillar of Vedanta

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. Brahma sutra- second pillar of Vedanta

The classical compilation of Vedic scriptures are apparently confusing. Brahma Sutras (by Sri Badarayana) serve as aphoristic texts with condensed core principles of vedic knowledge.

The very first sutra declares that all the vedic texts are intended towards investigating the "almighty". This serves as a torch light while navigating through Vedas.

At gross level, Brahma Sutras provide interpretative tools to better understand the vedic language. For example, the fourth sutra declares that all vedic scriptures must be read harmoniously. This serves as an interpretative tool while reading seemingly contradictory vedic scriptures.

One must not conclude that Brahma Sutras are only aphoristic texts or interpretative tools. Sutras are so rich in knowledge that they promulgated the Vedic School of thought - Vedanta darshana. Classically we find 21 commentaries (bhashya) on Brahma sutras including Sri Shankaracharya's, Sri Ramanujacharya's and Sri Madhwacharya's.

In our next write-up, we will discuss Bhagavad Gita as the third pillar of Vedanta.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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3. Bhagavad Gita- the third pillar of Vedanta

Study of Vedic scriptures, Upanishads and Brahma sutras - can prove to be overwhelming for a lay person. It requires lifetime dedication in understanding grammar, logic etc. While the people who pursue it as their life's goal are regarded highly, lay people are left behind.

For this reason, Bhagavad Gita is the most read among scriptures in Vedic tradition.

In chapter 2, Krishna criticizes the then "arm-chair philosophers" who engage in ritualistic interpretation of Vedas and deny existence of the almighty. In chapter 4, Krishna gives a universal scope of "yajna" and lists eight yajnas parallel to conventional (so called) fire worship.

Among vedanta texts, Bhagavad Gita is the most radical and yet highly appreciated for the day to day aspects of lay people. This is the reason Swami Vivekananda once said, even if entire knowledge Vedanta is lost, with only a few verses from Bhagavad Gita it can be rebuilt to its original form.

Vedic Tribe is happy to have brought this introductory series on three pillars of Vedanta. We wish you study Vedanta (starting from Bhagavad Gita) and adopt it in your day to day life.

All the best.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

Two esoteric Shanthi Mantras

Two esoteric Shanthi Mantras

Introduction

There are 108 upanishads, out of which 10 are considered “major upanishads” and other 98 are considered minor.

In Vedic tradition, there are numerous shanthi-mantras which are chanted before reciting Vedic texts and also before initiating any action be it worldly or spiritual.

Chanting shanti mantra is primarily a “positive mental affirmation”. At a physical level it enables calmness to spread & composure brought in the action to be performed. At a psychological level, it turns our mind inwards and elevates our awareness. At a spiritual level, the deities of Veda are invoked and they move our consciousness closer to universal consciousness.

Shanti mantras recited before major Upanishads are very famous and are frequently chanted. For example, “Oṃ saha nāv avatu saha nau bhunaktu” is one of the famous shanti mantra attached to Taittiriya and Katha Upanishad. 

Apart from the shanti mantra attached to these major upanaishads, there are many others which are equally prominent for spiritual process.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you two such other shanthi mantras which hold wonderful spiritual treasure within them. Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you to study vedic literature and adopt them in your day-to-day life.

All the best

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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1. “Asato ma sad gamaya” from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

“Brihadaranyaka Upanishad” as the name suggests is the biggest upanishad in size. 

“Prana” is the vital force behind both our body and the cosmos (pindanda / brahmanda). It is the “guru” for all consciousness within the bounds of creation!

“Prana” is also called pavamana and soma.

The upanishad, while meditating upon “prana”, suggests making an elevated chant known as “pavamana abhyaroha”.

This chant is “asato ma sad gamaya, tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, mrtyor mamrtam gamaya”

It is a prayer to move from non-existence to existence; unreal to real; and from recurring death to eternity.

This shanthi mantra (especially when chanted in group) creates a tangible aura which results in physical wellbeing. It also enables a mental affirmation to move from negativity to positivity. Finally it invokes “prana” - the guru of all consciousness present in all of us as the vital life force.

We encourage you to chant this shanthi mantra daily along with others. Chant with as many people as possible and enjoy its fruits.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe

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2. “dyauḥ śāntir antarikṣaṃ śāntiḥ” from Yajurveda

Yajurveda apparently is highly ritualistic. However, it shows exponential philosophical, mystical & spiritual aspects to those who approach it from the right direction.

In its samhita section, it contains one of the most esoteric shanthi mantras:

oṃ dyauḥ śāntir antarikṣaṃ śāntiḥ;

pṛthivī śāntir āpaḥ śāntir oṣadhayaḥ śāntiḥ;

vanaspatayaḥ śāntir viśvedevāḥ śāntir brahma śāntiḥ;

sarvaṃ śāntiḥ śāntir eva śāntiḥ sā mā śāntir edhi;

oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ;

Apparently it seems to seek peace in the heavens, space, earth, water, vegetation, herbs, all deities, brahman and everything else.

Upanishad is not only seeking peace outside, it is also seeking peace inside all of us; because all those stated in the mantra are present outside as well as inside all of us. Harnessing the power of spoken words, the upanishad seeks to bring peace to both physical & spiritual realms.

It also acts as mental affirmation moving from negative psychology to positive psychology.

At the highest intensity, it is invoking the very source of the entire cosmos so that our consciousness moves closer that cosmic consciousness.

We encourage you to chant this shanthi mantra daily along with others. Chant with as many people as possible and enjoy its fruits.

Vedic Tribe is very happy to have brought you these two shanthi mantras which are generally not chanted alongside upanishads. Our intention is to create enough curiosity in you so that you adopt our Vedic lifestyle and enjoy its fruits.

Madhwesh K

Vedic Tribe