The one who holds onto Dharma, sustains this life blissfully. Dharma holds the people. It prevents the soul from spiritual degeneration. Both, this world as well as the world hereafter is thought upon Dharma. Dharma is not for momentary happiness; Dharma leads to Eternal Bliss. Therefore, Dharma seems like an obstacle for those who are longing for momentary pleasures. But Dharma appears like nectar to those wise ones who are longing for peace & healthy life as well as desire for the betterment of life after death & next births. Many people have respect for Dharma, but does not have knowledge regarding it or maybe there is the absence of true knowledge.

     There are such festivals which help us to hold onto Dharmas. One such festival is the festival of Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी). Rushi Panchmi is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Bhadrapada month (भाद्रपदः शुक्लपक्षे पञ्चमी) which generally falls in August or September according to the Gregorian calendar. Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी) is celebrated two days after Haritalika Vrata (हरितालिका व्रतम्) & a day after Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश-चतुर्थी). Here, Rushi (ऋषि) means Sages & Panchmi (पञ्चमी) is the fifth day. By Rushis we must understand that Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages). Sapta Rushis are the great seven Rushis who are revered in our culture.

     These Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) provided us great knowledge of Vedas, Upanishadas & Dharma. So, on this day, we express our gratitude to these Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) who contributed a lot for the welfare of the society.

Information about the great Seven Sages (सप्त ऋषयः) –

     The Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) are revered in Hinduism as the seven great sages. Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) are a group of Vedic sages who built the foundation of Hinduism. They created many hymns & mantras in the Vedas. They were great ascetics & did penance for many years & achieved divine powers. They are the Rushis who realized Vedas during penance & provided the Vedas to the humanity. Some of them are Brahmarushis (ब्रह्मर्षयः/ ब्रह्म ऋषयः). A Brahmarushi (ब्रह्मर्षयः/ ब्रह्म ऋषयः) is a sage who has attained enlightenment by completely understanding the meaning of Brahman (ब्रह्मन्) (the Highest Reality) & has attained the highest divine knowledge. So, they rank higher than the other sages. These Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) were considered to be the ancestors of the Gotras of Brahmins.

     According to the Scriptures, Adiyogi (Bhagwan Shiva) taught yoga to the Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) so they could pass along the knowledge & tradition to humanity. Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) were born from the mind of Bhagwan Brahma & continue to guide the human race through the four yugas. They live for one Manvantara (306,720,000 Earth Years). There are total fourteen (14) Manvantaras & currently seventh Manvantara is ongoing. The Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) worked closely with Bhagwan Shiva to maintain the balance on Earth. As a result, they continue to live for a period of time known as a Manvantara (306, 720,000 Earth years). When the Universe gets destroyed, the Sapta Rushi (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) merge with God. Then, the duty of fulfilling the Earth is handed over to the newly appointed Sapta Rushi (i.e., newly created Sapta Rushis).

     The present Manvantara is the seventh one known as Vaivasvata Manvantara. The ruler of this Manvantara is known as Vaivasvata Manu. For the present Manvantara, the Saptarishis are Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vasishtha & Vishwamitra. Now, let us understand a few facts about these Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages).

1. Rushi Atri –

     Sage Atri’s wife was Sati Anusaya, who is one of the most chaste women in Indian history. The fifth Mandala (Book 5) of Rigveda is called the Atri Mandala in his honour & the eighty-seven hymns in it are attributed to him & his descendants. He had three sons – Dattatreya - the incarnation of Tridevas (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh), Durvasa & Soma (Chandra Deva).

2. Rushi Bharadvaja –

     Rushi Bharadvaja composed sections of the Rig Veda & is mentioned in the text multiple times. Bharadvaja loved to learn & realized that one lifetime wasn’t enough. He asked Bhagwan Indra for additional lives so he could continue to learn & study the Vedas. He learned the science of Ayurveda from Bhagwan Indra to help humanity. Many of his instructions are seen in the Charaka Samhita, one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda.

     Rushi Bharadvaja was the father of Dronacharya- the guru of the Pandavas & Kauravas in the Hindu epic Mahabharat. He is also referenced in the Ramayana as one of the sages that Bhagwan Shree Rama, Lakshmana & Sita spent time with during their exile. The Bharadvaja Ashram still exists in Prayagraj, India.

3. Rushi Gautama –

     Rushi Gautama is a Maharishi. He is the son of Maharshi Dirghatamas or Rahugana & Mata Pradveshi. He is the husband of Ahalya. He had two sons – Nodha & Vama Deva – the fifth incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. Rushi Gautama is credited with the creation of the river Godavari, which is also known as Gautami.

     Rushi Gautama wrote Gautama Dharma Sutra, which is the first scripture in social & religious laws. He also wrote Gautama Medhsutra. Rishi Gautam was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. The Triambakeshwara Jyotirlinga was established by Rushi Gautama.

4. Rushi Jamadagni –

    Rushi Jamadagni was one of the seven sages of current Manvantara. He was the father of Bhagwan Parshurama - the sixth incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. The name of his wife was Renuka. He was the descendants of Rushi Bhrugu. Rushi Jamadagni was well known for his angry nature.

    Rushi Jamadagni was well versed in Hindu scriptures & Vedas. He had a conflict with Kaartavirya Arjun, who took Kamadhenu with him. He killed Jamadagni & took Kamadhenu with him. However, Parashurama killed Kaartavirya Arjun & seized Kamadhenu. Later, Parashurama decided to kill all the Kshatriyas from the Earth. So, he travelled across the whole Planet & killed Kshatriyas 21 times.

5. Rushi Kashyapa –

    Rushi Kashyapa was the father of Devas (Gods), Asuras (Demons), Snakes & Garuda. He was known as the ancestor of all living beings. Rushi Kashyapa is credited with composing a few hymns in the Rigveda, mainly in 9th Mandala (book 9). He & his family of students are mainly composers of hymns for Soma Pavamāna (“self-purifying Soma”), which represents the Soma sacrifice.

   As per some scholars, the name Kashmir could have been a shortened form of “Kashyapa Mira”, or the “lake of the sage Kashyapa”. Alternatively, it may come from a Sanskrit term Kashmiri which means “to dry up water” as Rushi Kashyapa dried all the water of the lake in Kashmir with his power. It could also have been derived from the term “Kashyapa Meru”, which means the sacred mountains of Kashyapa.

6. Rushi Vasishtha –

    Rushi Vasishtha was credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. The Yoga Vasishtha, Vasishtha Samhita, as well as some versions of the Agni Purana & Vishnu Purana are attributed to him. Rushi Vashishta gave various Sutras in the field of Dharma. He also possessed immense knowledge in Astrology (ज्योतिश्शास्त्रम्).

     He was the Guru of Bhagwan Shree Rama & his brothers. Rushi Vashishta had established his Gurukul on the banks of the sacred river Saryu in the state of Ayodhya. Rushi Vashishta & Bhagwan Shree Rama’s conversation regarding Vedanta & Yoga has been recorded in Yoga Vashishta.

    Rushi Vashishta possessed the wish-fulfilling cow Kamadhenu & her child Nandini. His wife was Arundathi, who is regarded as one of the stars in the collection Ursa Major.

7. Vishwamitra –

     Rushi Vishwamitra was not a Brahmana by birth. He was Kshatriya of the Chandravanshi dynasty. His real name was Kaushika. He was one of the key characters in the great epic Ramayana.

    Rushi Vishwamitra was so powerful that he was about to create Pratisrushti (a replica of the world). He is credited with the creation of the Gayatri Mantra, which is one of the most popular Hindu mantras. He is also credited with the creation of the river Vishwamitri.

     Rushi Vishwamitra is also credited as the author of most of Mandala 3 of the Rigveda. Due to some reasons, he became an enemy of Sage Vashishtha. He also tested the honesty of King Harishachandra by making him undergo severe mental and physical tortures.

     Feared by his severe penance, Indra sent an Apsara named Menaka to break his penance & she succeeded in doing so. Their union resulted in the birth of Shakuntala, the mother of King Bharata, from whose name India got its name Bharata.

     Thus, the great sages provided the true knowledge of all the aspects of the humanity & paying homage to them is the least we could do.

Significance of Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी) –

    Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी) is also known as Guru Panchmi or Bhai Panchmi or Sama Pacham (in Gujarati). In this Vrata (Vow), the people express respect, gratitude & remembrance of the great deeds of those Seven Great Rushis, who devoted their lives to the welfare of the society. 

     Hindu culture has the essence of purity in it. So, to attain this, there are some rules that need to be followed for gaining purity of the body & soul. Rushi Panchami (ऋषि पञ्चमी) plays a significant role in Hinduism as women fast on this day to pay obeisance to the Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः), to get rid of Rajaswala Dosha (sins committed during menstruation). 

     According to the Scriptures, women who go through her menstruation, she should not touch any person, any utensils, she should not enter the kitchen, etc. & if knowingly or unknowingly, she touches any of these, she should perform the vow of Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी) as an expiatory rite.

     For more details about the facts of the menstruation please read our article “Breaking the myths about menstruation in Hinduism”.
Click below to read;

http://kaivalyahinduism.com/blog/details/42   

     According to the ancient Indian Astronomy, the asterism (a prominent pattern or group of stars that is smaller than a constellation) of the Big Dipper (part of the constellation of Ursa Major) is called Saptarshi (सप्तर्षी) (seven great sages), with the seven stars representing seven rushis of the current Manvantara- Atri, Bharadvaja, Gautama, Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Vasishtha & Vishwamitra. There is another star slightly visible within it, known as Arundhati. Arundhati & Vasishtha are married & together form the Mizar double.

    This Ursa Major is also known as Saptarshi (सप्तर्षी) (seven great sages) because, the great seven sages worked so much for our Dharma, Vedas & other Scriptures & so, this position was given by the Gods so that Humans do not forget their works & always respect them as Gods.

    Ursa Major is also known as the Great Bear. It is the asterism (a prominent pattern or group of stars that is smaller than a constellation) located in the northern sky. This collection of stars is also known as Saptarshi Tara Mandala. It shifts its position during all the four seasons & when all the four positions are put back together it forms a Swastik which means auspiciousness. As, these great seven Rushis brought auspiciousness by providing great teaching, Saptarshi asterism forms the Swastik image to give the message that they will always bless auspiciousness in our lives. 

    There are 27 constellations in our entire universe. In each constellation, the Saptarshi (सप्तर्षी) stayed for 100-100 years. In this way, the Saptarshi (सप्तर्षी) completes one round in 2700 years.

Historical account of Rushi Panchami (ऋषि पञ्चमी) –

     According to one historical account, once in the region of Vidarbha, there lived a Brahmin named Uttanka with his wife named Sushila. They had two children – a son & a daughter. The son was very virtuous & he was master of Vedas & Vedangas. The daughter was married into a noble family, but soon after her marriage, she became widowed & came back to her father’s house. She was chaste, virtuous & well-behaved. One day, after finishing her daily chores, she slept on the stone slab & later, her body got infected by worms & she fainted. Her mother saw this & she started lamenting, she cleaned her body & carried her to her father & asked sage Uttanka for the reason of such suffering as the daughter is virtuous & well-behaved, due to which karma she is bearing such grief.

     To find out the reason, sage Uttanka meditated upon Lord Vishnu & he saw the past actions of his daughter in her past births in his meditation. Later, he explained his wife that their daughter did not commit any sin in this birth or in the previous birth but, in the 7th birth she was a Brahmin woman &;

रजस्वला च संजाता भांडादीन्यस्पृशत्तदा।
अस्यास्तु पाप्मनातेन जायते कृमिवद्वपुः।।

Meaning:  At that time, during Menstruation (रजस्वला), she had touched all the vessels. She is suffering the infection caused by worms because, she did not follow the regulations which are to be followed during Menstruation (रजस्वला). Oh beloved! The woman is considered clean on the fourth day of Menstruation (रजस्वला). As;

प्रथमेऽहनि चाण्डाली द्वितीये ब्रह्मघातिनी।
तृतीये रजकी प्रोक्ता चतुर्थेऽहनि शुद्ध्यति।।

Meaning: On the 1st day, a Menstruation woman is known as an outcast woman (चाण्डाली), on the 2nd day she is known as the killer of Brahmins (ब्रह्मघातिनी), on the 3rd day she is known as a washer-woman (रजकी) & on the 4th day she is purified (शुद्धः).

     Later, the daughter observed a fast on Rushi Panchami (ऋषि पञ्चमी) for purifying her soul & body so that she can be relieved from her past & present sins committed during menstruation as well as other sins. The daughter observed the fast with full devotion & dedication which helped her to purify her soul & body & get rid of all kinds of sins.

     This is what our Scriptures suggest. So, to nullify the sins committed during the Menstruation (रजस्वला) of this as well as the past births, every woman should observe the vow of Rushi Panchami (ऋषि पञ्चमी).

Ritual ceremony of Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी) –

     Every Hindu has different methods & traditions of observing the vow of Rushi Panchami according to different region. But fasting on this day & eating only Sama (barnyard millet) & okra (lady finger) in vegetables is mostly observed everywhere in India.

     On this day, after taking bath in the morning, devotee should make a square-shapped diagram (Mandala) using red turmeric powder (कुंकुमः) & turmeric powder (हरिद्रा) on a clean place at home. The image or idol of the Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) are placed over it. Bhagwan Ganesha is worshipped & later, the ritual ceremony of the Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) along with Arundhati (wife of Rushi Vasishtha) is performed with the 5 Worshiping Practices (पञ्च उपचारः). The 5 worshiping practices are: (1) Applying fragrant powder (गंधः), (2) Offering Flowers (पुष्पम्), (3) Burning Extruded incense (धूपः), (4) Lighting the Lamp (दीपः), (5) Offering Food (नैवेद्यम्).

     The sacred thread (Yagnopavita) (यज्ञोपवीतम्) is also offered to the Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) along with white cloth. Some perform this puja at home, some at the temple & some on the bank of the river.

     According to the tradition, women only eat Sama (barnyard millet) & okra (lady finger) on this day. Different regions follow different traditions of observing this fast & eating different dishes. If a woman is in Menstruation (रजस्वला) on this day, then she should not eat Sama (barnyard millet) as, Sama (barnyard millet) is the most auspicious grain. Another reason is, Sama (barnyard millet) is warm to the body & if the woman during Menstruation (रजस्वला) eats Sama (barnyard millet) her body will collect more heat, which will adversely affect her body due to this reason, if a woman is in Menstruation (रजस्वला) during Rushi Panchami (ऋषि पञ्चमी), she should avoid eating Sama (barnyard millet).

    Thus, Rushi Panchmi (ऋषि पञ्चमी) is not just a festival, but it helps us to gain merits for this as well as for the upcoming births & to get rid of this as well as past birth sins. It is a day we remember the great seven Rushis who have contributed their lives for the betterment of the humans & worked so hard to convey the knowledge of Vedas, Upanishadas & other Scriptures to us. So, let us understand our religion as well as our scriptures better with the blessings of Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages). May the Sapta Rushis (सप्त ऋषयः) (seven great sages) bless us with auspiciousness always.

कार्तिकः कृष्णपक्षे ६, २०७९

अस्तु।