Rishis

Published on 23rd May, 2021, in Mid-day. Many believe rishis are special beings, who have access to special mantras. They understand the vibrations of the universe. They communicate these mantras through words, chants, and hymns of the Vedas. They play a very important role in Vedic literature. They can summon the gods; they can curse the gods. They can create harmony between gods and humans. This makes them very powerful. But where did they originate from? In the later Puranas (1,500 years old), Brahma’s mind creates them. Hence, they are the Manas Putra, the mind-born sons of Brahma. Yet, in Vedic literature known as Brahmanas ..

Published on 5th November, 2017, in Mid-day. Hindus believe that knowledge ("veda" in Sanskrit) comes not from a human source, but from nature at large. This knowledge reveals itself to one who is clear in mind and pure of body. Such a person is called a rishi, which means 'one who can see what others overlook'. He transmits knowledge received through mantras or hymns. Historians, however, believe that rishis were poets (kavi), who composed the thousand-odd poems that make up the Rig Veda. People who transmitted this Vedic knowledge were called brahmins, the wisest of whom were often confused with rishis. As time passed, scholars ..