About this stotra
This prayer invokes the blessings of the seven great ṛṣis, (pronounced: rishis) known as the Saptarishis (seven rishis). They are highly revered in Hindu tradition as the embodiment of wisdom, spiritual knowledge, and austerity. Just as the light spectrum has seven colours, these seven rishis represent the complete spectrum of spiritual wisdom. These sages played key roles in shaping the spiritual and philosophical landscape of ancient India and are credited with composing significant portions of the Vedas and other scriptures. Each ṛṣi mentioned in this verse has a unique role in various Vedic texts and mythological stories, often guiding kings and even deities. The Saptarishis are seen as protectors of dharma (righteousness) and knowledge, and invoking their names helps bring blessings of spiritual growth and wisdom. For a devotee, remembering these great sages, especially at the beginning of each day, signifies paying homage to the ancient wisdom and the spiritual lineage that has been passed down through generations.
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Verse 1
Kashyapa Atri Bharadwaja – Verse 1
कश्यपोत्रिः भरद्वाजो विश्वामित्रोथ गौतमः
जमदग्निः वसिष्ठश्च सप्तैते ऋषयः स्मृताः
kaśyapotriḥ bharadvājo viśvāmitrotha gautamaḥ
jamadagniḥ vasiṣṭhaśca saptaite ṛṣayaḥ smṛtāḥ
Kaśyapa, Atri, Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Vasiṣṭha—these seven are remembered as the great sages (Saptaṛṣis).
Word by word
- कश्यपः (kaśyapaḥ)
- Kaśyapa
- अत्रिः (atriḥ)
- Atri
- भरद्वाजः (bharadvājaḥ)
- Bharadvāja
- विश्वामित्रः (viśvāmitraḥ)
- Viśvāmitra
- उथ (utha)
- and
- गौतमः (gautamaḥ)
- Gautama
- जमदग्निः (jamadagniḥ)
- Jamadagni
- वसिष्ठः (vasiṣṭhaḥ)
- Vasiṣṭha
- च (ca)
- and
- सप्त (sapta)
- seven
- एते (ete)
- these
- ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ)
- sages
- स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ)
- remembered