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Learning Path · Parampara

Rishis & Sages

The seers who heard the Vedas and the lineage of teachers after them — the Sapta Rishis, the women rishis, the acharyas and the guru parampara.

Intermediate · 12 steps · ~97 min · in order

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  1. 1

    Sage Yajnavalkya: The Great Teacher of the Upanishads

    Yajnavalkya is a towering sage of the Upanishads, whose dialogues with King Janaka, Gargi and Maitreyi gave the tradition some of its deepest teachings on the Self.

    9 min read

  2. 2

    Sage Shaunaka: Master of Vedic Lore at Naimisha

    Shaunaka is remembered as the head of a great gurukula at Naimisha forest, a master of Vedic study to whom much sacred narration is traditionally addressed.

    7 min read

  3. 3

    Sage Vamadeva: Seer of the Fourth Rigveda Mandala

    Vamadeva is the traditional seer of the fourth book of the Rigveda, remembered for hymns of striking spiritual depth and self-knowledge.

    7 min read

  4. 4

    Sage Dirghatamas: Seer of the Great Riddle Hymns

    Dirghatamas is a profound Rigvedic seer linked to the celebrated riddle hymns and to the timeless insight that truth is one, though the wise call it by many names.

    7 min read

  5. 5

    Sage Madhuchchhandas: Seer of the Rigveda's Opening Hymns

    Madhuchchhandas, a son of Vishvamitra, is the traditional seer of the very opening hymns of the Rigveda — among the first words of the Vedic corpus.

    7 min read

  6. 6

    Sage Gritsamada: Seer of the Second Rigveda Mandala

    Gritsamada is the traditional seer of the second book of the Rigveda, honoured for luminous hymns addressed to Indra and Bramhaaspati.

    7 min read

  7. 7

    Sage Kanva: Vedic Seer and Compassionate Foster-Father

    Kanva is a Rigvedic seer and head of a renowned hermitage, remembered for many hymns and for raising the maiden Shakuntala with great tenderness.

    8 min read

  8. 8

    Sage Angiras: Seer of Sacred Fire and Hymns

    Angiras is a primordial Vedic seer associated with sacred fire and a great body of hymns, and the forefather of an illustrious lineage of sages.

    8 min read

  9. 9

    Sage Bhrigu: Founder of a Great Rishi Lineage

    Bhrigu is a Prajapati and founder of one of the great rishi lineages, linked to Vedic hymns and to traditions of astrology and dharmic reflection.

    8 min read

  10. 10

    Sage Agastya: The Great Rishi of Wisdom and Tapasya

    Agastya is a revered Vedic seer remembered for great tapasya, for carrying Vedic learning to the south, and for his partnership with the seer Lopamudra.

    9 min read

  11. 11

    Sage Vasishtha: Foremost of the Saptarishis and Guru of Ikshvaku

    Vasishtha, foremost among the Saptarishis and family guru of the Ikshvaku kings, is linked to a whole book of the Rigveda and to the wisdom of the Yoga Vasishtha.

    10 min read

  12. 12

    Sage Jamadagni: Saptarishi and Father of Parashurama

    Jamadagni, a Saptarishi of the Bhrigu lineage and father of Parashurama, is remembered for fierce austerity and for stories that probe the meaning of dharma.

    10 min read