The Rig Veda is the most ancient sacred literature in the world, and is without a doubt the foundational cornerstone of the architectural wonder that is Hinduism. Anyone with even a faint familiarity with the Rig Veda cannot but be in awe of the majesty of the hymns composed in various exquisite meters. Anyone who has strove deep into the ocean of wisdom that is Rig Veda is sure to have their entire thought process and world-view completely transformed. The richness of imagery and symbolism, the depth of spiritual insight and the brilliance of the ultimate absolute Truth revealed in the mantras, all come together in a package that is truly the heritage of the entire human race, much more so that any other non-material entity available to us today.
As I have written elsewhere on the origin of the Veda, its significance, its contents and its intent, I shall not dwell on those matters here. The purpose of the present endeavor is to shed more light on the visionaries who composed the hymns in the Rig Veda. Pious Hindus need not feel offended by the use of the word “composed”, because that is the fact of the matter. The sages were no doubt in the exalted state of samādhi when they experienced seamless oneness with the Universal Spirit. But we would be depriving them of the due credit they deserve, for coming down from the exalted state and putting their experience into words. And what words those are! Not a mere collection of sentences, not incoherent babbling, but beautiful poetry. We Hindus are fortunate to have had such a unique development of this ‘rishi culture’ in India.
The study of the lineage of the rishis who are composers of the Rig Veda is fascinating. There are at least 3 generations of rishis by name. However, it is very evident that these rishis knew even older generations of rishis whose hymns are now lost. Even the oldest generation of rishis frequently refer to “ancient ancestors” who were the “pathfinders” (pathikṛt — पथिकृत्).
Regardless of the particular ancestry of a rishi, all rishis considered Aṅgirā (अङ्गिरा), Bhṛgu (भृगु), Atharvā (अथर्वा) and Trita Āptya (त्रित आप्त्य) as their common primordial ancestors. Evidence of this comes from the mantras themselves. Only these four rishis are included in the mantras along with the gods. In fact, these four rishis are considered almost gods. However, Aṅgirā (अङ्गिरा) is by far the most important and most revered personality. In many mantras, the reference is to a plural number, i.e. not one Aṅgirā (अङ्गिरा) but several Aṅgirases (अङ्गिरसः). They are most commonly called Navagvas (नवग्वाः) and Daśagvas (दशग्वाः).
In any case, the family line of Aṅgirā is the most widespread of all rishi families in the Rig Veda.
Below I will list the most prominent generations of rishis with the hymns (sūktams) or mantras attributed to each. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and I will try to make it an exhaustive one, time permitting.
As you read through the list, note the beautiful method of Sanskrit names, where the son or daughter is given a surname which is the guṇavṛddhi (गुणवृद्धि) form of the parent’s name.
Aṅgirā (Aṅgiras)[so called because he is an Aṅgāra, i.e. a burning coal, i.e. a form ofAgni]
- Bṛhaspati Āṅgirasa (RV 10.71, 72)
- Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (RV 6 —almost entire sixth maṇḍala) <<<First of the famous saptarshi>>>
- Suhotra Bhāradvāja (RV 6.31,32)
- Śunahotra Bhāradvāja (RV 6.33.34)
- Nara Bhāradvāja (RV 6.35,36)
- Garga Bhāradvāja (RV 6.47)
- Ṛjiśvā Bhāradvāja (RV 6.49–52)
- Pāyu Bhāradvāja (RV 6.75)
- Vasu Bhāradvāja (RV 9.80–82)
- Rātri Bhāradvājῑ (RV 10.127)
- Śāsa Bhāradvāja (RV 10.152)
- Śirimbiṭha Bhāradvāja (RV 10.155)
- Śamyu Bārhaspatya (RV 6.44–46, 48)
- Tapurmūrdhā Bārhaspatya (RV 10.182)
- Rahūgaṇa Āṅgirasa (RV 9.37,38)
- Gotama Rāhūgaṇa (RV 1.74–93; 9.31) <<<Second of the famous saptarshi>>>
- Vāmadeva Gautama (RV 4 — almost entire fourth maṇḍala)
- —→ Bṛhaduktha Vāmadevya (RV 10.54–56)
- —→ Amhomuk Vāmadevya (RV 10.126)
- Nodhā Gautama (RV 1.58–64; 8.88; 9.93)
- —→ Ekadyu Naudhasa (RV 8.80)
- Kaṇva Āṅgirasa or Ghaura (RV 9.94; 1.36–43; 8.1.1–2) [technically, he is Ghaura, i.e. son of Ghora Āṅgirasa, who only has one mantra (3.36.10) in Rig Veda, but he is mentioned in other Vedic texts] [Kaṇva’s descendants cover almost the entire eighth maṇḍala]
- Medhātithi Kāṇva (RV 1.12–23; 8.1.3–29, 8.2–3, 8.32; 9.2)
- Devātithi Kāṇva (RV 8.4)
- Brahmātithi Kāṇva (RV 8.5)
- Vatsa Kāṇva (RV 8.6,11)
- Punarvatsa Kāṇva (RV 8.7)
- Sadhvamsa Kāṇva (RV 8.8)
- Śaśakarṇa Kāṇva (RV 8.9)
- Pragātha Kāṇva (RV 8.10, 48, 62–65)
- Bharga Prāgātha (RV 8.60–61)
- Kali Prāgātha (RV 8.66)
- Haryata Prāgātha (RV 8.72)
- Irimbiṭhi Kāṇva (RV 8.16–18)
- Sobhari Kāṇva (RV 8.19–22, 103)
- Kuśika Saubhara (RV 10.127)
- Medhyātithi Kāṇva (RV 9.41–43; 8.1.3–29, 8.33)
- Nῑpātithi Kāṇva (RV 8.34)
- Nābhāka Kāṇva (RV 8.39–42)
- Praskaṇva Kāṇva (RV 9.95; 1.44–50, 8.49)
- Parvata Kāṇva (RV 9.104,105; RV 8.12)
- Nārada Kāṇva (RV 9.104,105; RV 8.13)
- Triśoka Kāṇva (RV 8.45)
- Puṣṭigu Kāṇva (RV 8.50)
- Śruṣṭigu Kāṇva (RV 8.51)
- Āyu Kāṇva (RV 8.52)
- Medhya Kāṇva (RV 8.53, 57, 58)
- Mātariśvā Kāṇva (RV 8.54)
- Kṛśa Kāṇva (RV 8.55)
- Pṛṣdhra Kāṇva (RV 8.56)
- Suparṇa Kāṇva (RV 8.59)
- Kurusuti Kāṇva (RV 8.76–78)
- Kusῑdῑ Kāṇva (RV 8.81–83)
- Ucathya Āṅgirasa (RV 9.50–52)
- Dīrghatamā Aucathya (RV 1.140–164)
- Kakṣῑvān Dairghatamasa (RV 1.116–126; 9.74)
- —→ Sukῑrti Kākṣῑvata (RV 10.131)
- —→ Śabara Kākṣῑvata (RV 10.169)
- —→ Ghoṣā Kākṣῑvatῑ (RV 10.39–40)
- ———→ Ghauṣeya Suhastya (RV 10.41)
- Ayāsya Āṅgirasa (RV 9.44–46; 10.67–68)
- Hiraṇyastūpa Āṅgirasa (RV 9.4,69; 1.31–35)
- Arcan Hairaṇyastūpa (RV 10.149)
- Nṛmedha Āṅgirasa (RV 9.27,29; 8.89–90, 98–99)
- Śakapūta Nārmedha (RV 10.132)
- Priyamedha Āṅgirasa (RV 9.28; 8.68–69)
- Sindhukṣit Praiyamedha (RV 10.75)
- Bindu Āṅgirasa (RV 9.30; 8.94)
- Prabhūvasu Āṅgirasa (RV 5.35–36; 9.35,36)
- Bṛhanmati Āṅgirasa (RV 9.39,40)
- Harimanta Āṅgirasa (RV 9.72)
- Pavitra Āṅgirasa (RV 9.73,83)
- Savya Āṅgirasa (RV 1.51–57)
- Kutsa Āṅgirasa (RV 1.94–98, 101–104, 106–115)
- Sumitra Kautsa (RV 10.105)
- Śaśvatῑ Āṅgirasῑ (RV 8.1.34)
- Vyaśva Āṅgirasa (RV 8.26)
- Viśvamanā Vaiyaśva (RV 8.23–25)
- Virūpa Āṅgirasa (RV 8.43–44, 75)
- Aṣṭādamṣṭra Vairūpa (RV 10.111)
- Nabhaprabhedana Vairūpa (RV 10.112)
- Śataprabhedana Vairūpa (RV 10.113)
- Sadhri Vairūpa (RV 10.114)
- Puruhanmā Āṅgirasa (RV 8.70)
- Kṛṣṇa Āṅgirasa (RV 8.85, 87; 10.42–44)
- Kṛṣṇa Kāṛṣṇi (RV 8.86)
- Purumedha Āṅgirasa (RV 8.89–90)
- Sukakṣa Āṅgirasa (RV 8.92–93)
- Tiraścῑ Āṅgirasa (RV 8.95–96)
- Amahῑyu Āṅgirasa (RV 9.61)
- Urukṣaya Āmahῑyava (RV 10.118)
- Śiśu Āṅgirasa (RV 9.112)
- Saptagu Āṅgirasa (RV 10.47)
- Mūrdhanvān Āṅgirasa (RV 10.88)
- Baru Āṅgirasa (RV 10.96)
- Divya Āṅgirasa (RV 10.107)
- Bhikṣu Āṅgirasa (RV 10.117)
- Vihavya Āṅgirasa (RV 10.128)
- Samvarta Āṅgirasa (RV 10.172)
- Dhruva Āṅgirasa (RV 10.173)
- Abhῑvarta Āṅgirasa (RV 10.174)
- Samvanana Āṅgirasa (RV 10.191)
- Dharuṇa Āṅgirasa (RV 5.15)
Bhṛgu Vāruṇi [i.e. son of Varuṇa] (he is also considered a form of Agni, his name mimicking the sound of burning fire)
- Gṛtsamada Bhārgava (RV 2 — almost entire second maṇḍala)
- Kṛtnu Bhārgava (RV 8.79)
- Nema Bhārgava (RV 8.100)
- Jamadagni Bhārgava (RV 8.101; 9.62, 65) <<<Third of the famous saptarshi>>>
- Rāma Jāmadagnya (RV 10.110)
- Prayoga Bhārgava (RV 8.102)
- Kavi Bhārgava (RV 9.47–49, 75–79)
- Uśanā Kāvya (RV 9.87–89)
- Vena Bhārgava (RV 9.85; 10.123)
- Pṛthu Vainya (RV 10.148)
- Cyavana Bhārgava (RV 10.19)
- Syūmaraśmi Bhārgava (RV 10.77–78)
- Iṭa Bhārgava (RV 10.171)
Now, by tracing the names backwards to the ancestor, we find that Sobhari Kāṇva is possibly the father of Kuśika, who is the grandfather of Viśvāmitra. So essentially, even Viśvāmitra belongs to the ancient Āṅgirasa lineage. On the other hand, there is also a Kuśika Aiṣῑrathi mentioned in the third maṇḍala. So it is not fully clear what the complete lineage could be, but given the fact that all of Viśvāmitra’s ancestors and descendants are rishis, it is highly unlikely that he was a king (as per popular Hindu mythology). There is no evidence in the Rig Veda to show that he was ever a Kṣatriya. In any case, he is also famous as the starter of a big family tree as well.
Sobhari Kāṇva (RV 8.19–22, 103)
Kuśika Saubhara (RV 10.127) or Kuśika Aiṣῑrathi (RV 3.31)
- Gāthi Kauśika (RV 3.21–22)
- Viśvāmitra Gāthina (RV 3 — almost entire third maṇḍala) <<<Fourth of the famous saptarshi>>>
- Ṛṣabha Vaiśvāmitra (RV 3.13–14; 9.71)
- Kata Vaiśvāmitra (RV 3.17–18)
- —→ Utkῑla Kātya (RV 3.15–16)
- Madhucchandas Vaiśvāmitra (RV 1.1–10)
- —→ Jetā Mādhucchandasa (RV 1.11)
- —→ Aghamarṣaṇa Mādhucchandasa (RV 10.190)
- Prajāpati Vaiśvāmitra (RV 3.38, 54–56)
- Reṇu Vaiśvāmitra (RV 9.70; 10.89)
- Aṣṭaka Vaiśvāmitra (RV 10.104)
- Pūraṇa Vaiśvāmitra (RV 10.160)
Agastya Maitrāvaruṇi [son of Mitra and Varuṇa] (RV 1.165–191)
- Dṛḍhacyuta Āgastya (RV 9.25)
- Idhmavāha Dārḍhacyuta (RV 9.26)
Vasiṣṭha Maitrāvaruṇi (RV 7 — almost entire seventh maṇḍala) <<<Fifth of the famous saptarshi>>>
- Indrapramati Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.4–6)
- Vṛṣagaṇa Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.7–9)
- Manyu Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.10–12)
- Upamanyu Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.13–15)
- Vyāghrapāt Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.16–18)
- Śakti Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.19–21; 9.108.3,14–16)
- Parāśara Śāktya (RV 9.97.31–44; 1.65–73)
- Gaurivῑti Śāktya (RV 5.29; 9.108.1–2; 10.73–74)
- Karṇaśrut Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.22–24)
- Mṛḍῑka Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.25–27; 10.150)
- Vasukra Vāsiṣṭha (RV 9.97.28–30)
- Citramahā Vāsiṣṭha (RV 10.122)
Kaśyapa Mārῑca [son of Marῑci] <<<Sixth of the famous saptarshi>>>
(RV 1.99; 8.29; 9.64; 9.67.4–6; 9.91–92; 9.113–114)
- Rebha Kāśyapa (RV 8.97; 9.99–100)
- Asita Kāśyapa (RV 9.5–24)
- Avatsāra Kāśyapa (RV 5.44; 9.53–60)
- Nidhruvi Kāśyapa (RV 9.63)
- Sūnu Kāśyapa (RV 9.99–100)
- Bhūtāmśa Kāśyapa (RV 10.106)
- Vivṛhā Kāśyapa (RV 10.163)
Atri Bhauma [son of Bhūmā *] (RV 5.37–43; 5.76–77; 5.83–86) <<<Seventh of the famous saptarshi>>>
- Budha Ātreya (RV 5.1)
- Gaviṣṭhira Ātreya (RV 5.1)
- Kumāra Ātreya (RV 5.2)
- Vasuśruta Ātreya (RV 5.3–6)
- Iṣa Ātreya (RV 5.7–8)
- Gaya Ātreya (RV 5.9–10)
- Sutambhara Ātreya (RV 5.11–14)
- Pūru Ātreya (RV 5.16–17)
- Dvita Mṛktavāhā Ātreya (RV 5.18–19)
- Sasa Ātreya (RV 5.21)
- Viśvasāmā Ātreya (RV 5.22)
- Dyumna Viśvacarṣaṇi Ātreya (RV 5.23)
- Vasūyava Ātreya (RV 5.25–26)
- Viśvavārā Ātreyῑ (RV 5.28)
- Babhru Ātreya (RV 5.30)
- Avasyu Ātreya (RV 5.31)
- Gātu Ātreya (RV 5.32)
- Sadāpṛṇa Ātreya (RV 5.45)
- Pratikṣatra Ātreya (RV 5.46)
- Pratiratha Ātreya (RV 5.47)
- Pratibhānu Ātreya (RV 5.48)
- Pratiprabha Ātreya (RV 5.49)
- Svasti Ātreya (RV 5.50–51)
- Śyāvāśva Ātreya (RV 5.52–61; 5.81–82; 8.35–38)
- Andhῑgu Śyāvāśvi (RV 9.101.1–3)
- Śrutavit Ātreya (RV 5.62)
- Arcanānā Ātreya (RV 5.63–64)
- Rātahavya Ātreya (RV 5.65–66)
- Yajata Ātreya (RV 5.67–68)
- Urucakri Ātreya (RV 5.69–70)
- Bāhuvṛkta Ātreya (RV 5.71–72)
- Paura Ātreya (RV 5.73–74)
- Avasyu Ātreya (RV 5.75)
- Saptavadhri Ātreya (RV 5.78)
- Satyaśravā Ātreya (RV 5.79–80)
- Evayāmarut Ātreya (RV 5.87)
- Apālā Ātreyῑ (RV 8.91)
* this could just be symbolic, as Bhūmā means ‘infinite existence’
Thus far, we have listed most of the major rishis of the Rig Veda belonging to prominent lineages. Of the four primordial rishis who were mentioned at the beginning (i.e. Aṅgirā, Bhṛgu, Atharvā and Trita Āptya), the above lineages covered the first two. To round this up, I will provide some references to the other two rishis.
Trita Āptya — RV 10.1–7; 9.102 [He seems to have had a brother Dvita Āptya who composed 9.103]
Atharvā
- Bṛhaddiva Ātharvaṇa (RV 10.120)
- Bhiṣak Ātharvaṇa (RV 10.97)
Of course, the Atharva Veda has many more hymns attributed to Atharvā.
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