ऋषि

Sanskrit

Etymology

From Proto-Indo-Iranian *(H)rši-; cognate with Avestan 𐬆𐬭𐬆𐬴𐬌𐬴 (ǝrǝšiš, “seer”). Morphologically probably formed from verbal root √ṛṣ (“to flow, pour”).

Noun

ऋषि (ṛ́ṣi) m

1. rishi: a singer of sacred hymns, an inspired poet or sage, any person who alone or with others invokes the deities in rhythmical speech or song of a sacred character (e.g. the ancient hymn-singers कुत्स (kutsa), अत्रि (atri), रेभ (rebha), अगस्त्य (agastya), कुशिक (kuśika), वसिष्ठ (vasiṣṭha), व्यश्व (vy-aśva))
   • RV 1.31.1

     तवमग्ने परथमो अङगिरा रषिर्देवो देवानामभवः शिवः सखा |

     तव वरते कवयो विद्मनापसो.अजायन्त मरुतो भराजद्र्ष्टयः ||

     tvamaghne prathamo aṅghirā ṛṣirdevo devānāmabhavaḥ śivaḥ sakhā |

     tava vrate kavayo vidmanāpaso.ajāyanta maruto bhrājadṛṣṭayaḥ ||

     Thou, Agni, wast the earliest Aṅgiras, a Seer; thou wast, a God thyself, the Gods’ auspicious Friend.

     After thy holy ordinance the Maruts, sage, active through wisdom, with their glittering spears, were born.

2. (post-Vedic) rishi: as patriarchal sages or saints that occupy the same position in India history as the heroes and patriarchs of other countries, and constitute a peculiar class of beings in the early mythical system, as distinct from gods, men, Asuras etc.
3. (astronomy) the seven rishis form the constellation Ursa Major
   • RV 10.82.2

     विश्वकर्मा विमना आद विहाया धाता विधाता परमोतसन्द्र्क |

     तेषामिष्टानि समिषा मदन्ति यत्रासप्तर्षीन पर एकमाहुः ||

     viśvakarmā vimanā ād vihāyā dhātā vidhātā paramotasandṛk |

     teṣāmiṣṭāni samiṣā madanti yatrāsaptaṛṣīn para ekamāhuḥ ||

     Mighty in mind and power is Visvakarman, Maker, Disposer, and most lofty Presence.

     Their offerings joy in rich juice where they value One, only One, beyond the Seven Ṛṣis.

4. (figuratively) the seven rishis may stand for the seven senses or the seven vital airs of the body
5. a saint or sanctified sage in general, an ascetic, anchorite
6. the seventh of the eight degrees of Brahmins
7. a hymn or mantra composed by a rishi
8. veda
9. a symbolical expression for the number seven
10. moon
11. imaginary circle
12. ray of light
13. the fish Cyprinus rishi

Declension

    Masculine i-stem declension of ऋषि

	Singular	Dual	Plural
Nominative	ऋषिः (ṛṣiḥ)	ऋषी (ṛṣī)	ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ)
Vocative	ऋषे (ṛṣe)	ऋषी (ṛṣī)	ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ)
Accusative	ऋषिम् (ṛṣim)	ऋषी (ṛṣī)	ऋषीन् (ṛṣīn)
Instrumental	ऋषिणा (ṛṣiṇā)	ऋषिभ्याम् (ṛṣibhyām)	ऋषिभिः (ṛṣibhiḥ)
Dative	ऋषये (ṛṣaye)	ऋषिभ्याम् (ṛṣibhyām)	ऋषिभ्यः (ṛṣibhyaḥ)
Ablative	ऋषेः (ṛṣeḥ)	ऋषिभ्याम् (ṛṣibhyām)	ऋषिभ्यः (ṛṣibhyaḥ)
Genitive	ऋषेः (ṛṣeḥ)	ऋष्योः (ṛṣyoḥ)	ऋषीणाम् (ṛṣīṇām)
Locative	ऋषौ (ṛṣau)	ऋष्योः (ṛṣyoḥ)	ऋषिषु (ṛṣiṣu)

Descendants

• Telugu: ఋషి
• Thai: ฤษี