Rishi facts for kids
A Rishi is a wise and respected person often mentioned in ancient Hindu writings. You could think of them as very old and knowledgeable teachers or sages. These writings, called Hindu scriptures, and stories from Hindu mythology describe Rishis as having deep wisdom. They were also believed to have special powers. Sometimes, even powerful Hindu gods like Indra were said to be a little afraid of them! Some Rishis were known for getting angry easily, and their anger could sometimes lead to them putting curses on people.
Rishis usually lived deep inside forests, far away from towns. Many young people would come to live with them as students. These students learned from the Rishis in special schools called Gurukuls. After finishing their education, most students would go back to their families. However, some chose to stay with the Rishis forever as their followers. Even kings and royal family members would visit Rishis to ask for advice or blessings. Sometimes, Rishis and their students would even go to royal palaces to join important discussions.
The Seven Great Sages
Seven Rishis were especially famous and important. Hindu scriptures call them Saptarishis, which means "the seven sages." These seven great sages were Kashyapa, Atri, Vashitha, Vishvamitra, Gautam, Jamdagni, and Bharadvaja.
Rishis and the Stars
According to Hindu stories, these seven sages became like divine beings. Ancient Hindu astrology connected these seven sages to stars in the night sky. They are believed to be the stars that form the Great Bear constellation, also known as the Big Dipper. The wives of these seven sages are said to be the stars in the Pleiades star cluster.
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In Spanish: Rishi para niños
