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| ==Origin== | | ==Origin== |
− | In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_India Indian tradition], the [[word]] has been derived from the two [[roots]] 'rsh'. [[Sanskrit]] grammarians derive this word from the second root which means 'to go, to move' (- Dhātupāṭha of Pānini, xxviii). V. S. Apte gives this particular [[meaning]] and derivation, and Monier-Williams also gives the same, with some qualification. Another form of this root means 'to [[flow]], to move near by flowing'. (All the [[meanings]] and derivations cited above are based upon [[Sanskrit]] [[English]] Dictionary of Monier-Williams). Monier-Williams also quotes Tārānātha who compiled the great (Sanskrit-to-Sanskrit) dictionary named "ṛṣati jñānena saṃsāra-pāram" (i.e., one who reaches beyond this mundane world by means of [[spiritual]] [[knowledge]]). | + | In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_India Indian tradition], the [[word]] has been derived from the two [[roots]] 'rsh'. [[Sanskrit]] grammarians derive this word from the second root which means 'to go, to move' (- Dhātupāṭha of Pānini, xxviii). V. S. Apte gives this particular [[meaning]] and derivation, and Monier-Williams also gives the same, with some qualification. Another form of this root means 'to [[flow]], to move near by flowing'. (All the [[meanings]] and derivations cited above are based upon [[Sanskrit]] [[English]] Dictionary of Monier-Williams). Monier-Williams also quotes Tārānātha who compiled the great (Sanskrit-to-Sanskrit) dictionary named "ṛṣati jñānena saṃsāra-pāram" (i.e., one who reaches beyond this mundane world by means of [[spiritual]] [[knowledge]]). |
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| More than a century ago, Monier-Williams tentatively suggested derivation from ''drś'' "to see". Monier-Williams also quotes Hibernian (Irish) form 'arsan' (a [[sage]], a man old in [[wisdom]]) and 'arrach' (old, ancient, aged) as related to rishi. In [[Sanskrit]], forms of the root 'rish' become 'arsh-' in many [[words]], e.g., arsh. Monier-Williams also [[conjecture]]s that the root 'drish' (to see) might have given rise to an obsolete root 'rish' [[meaning]] 'to see'. | | More than a century ago, Monier-Williams tentatively suggested derivation from ''drś'' "to see". Monier-Williams also quotes Hibernian (Irish) form 'arsan' (a [[sage]], a man old in [[wisdom]]) and 'arrach' (old, ancient, aged) as related to rishi. In [[Sanskrit]], forms of the root 'rish' become 'arsh-' in many [[words]], e.g., arsh. Monier-Williams also [[conjecture]]s that the root 'drish' (to see) might have given rise to an obsolete root 'rish' [[meaning]] 'to see'. |
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− | However, the [[root]] has a close [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avestan Avestan] cognate ''ərəšiš'' "an ecstatic" (see also Yurodivy, Vates). Yet, the Indo-European dictionary of Julius Pokorny connects the [[word]] to a PIE root *''h3er-s'' [[meaning]] "rise, protrude", in the sense of "excellent, egregious". | + | However, the [[root]] has a close [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avestan Avestan] cognate ''ərəšiš'' "an ecstatic" (see also Yurodivy, Vates). Yet, the Indo-European dictionary of Julius Pokorny connects the [[word]] to a PIE root *''h3er-s'' [[meaning]] "rise, protrude", in the sense of "excellent, egregious". |
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− | [[Modern]] etymological explanations such as by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Mayrhofer Manfred Mayrhofer] in his Etymological Dictionary leaves the case open, does not prefer a [[connection]] to ''ṛṣ'' "pour, flow" (PIE *''h1ers''), rather one with German 'rasen' "to be [[ecstatic]], be in a different [[state]] of mind" (and perhaps Lithuanian '''aršus'''). | + | [[Modern]] etymological explanations such as by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Mayrhofer Manfred Mayrhofer] in his Etymological Dictionary leaves the case open, does not prefer a [[connection]] to ''ṛṣ'' "pour, flow" (PIE *''h1ers''), rather one with German 'rasen' "to be [[ecstatic]], be in a different [[state]] of mind" (and perhaps Lithuanian '''aršus'''). |
− | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1766] | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1766] |
| ==Definition== | | ==Definition== |
− | *1: A [[holy]] seer; a saint; spec. one of the holy [[poets]] or sages believed to have composed the hymns and other sacred [[writings]] forming the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas Vedas]. | + | *1: A [[holy]] seer; a saint; spec. one of the holy [[poets]] or sages believed to have composed the hymns and other sacred [[writings]] forming the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedas Vedas]. |
| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | '''Rishi''' ([[Sanskrit]]: ''ṛṣi'', Devanagari: ऋषि) denotes the composers of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic Vedic] hymns. However, according to post-Vedic [[tradition]], the rishi is a "seer" to whom the Vedas were "originally [[revealed]]" through [[states]] of [[higher consciousness]]. The rishis were prominent when Vedic Hinduism took shape, as far back as some three thousand years ago. | + | '''Rishi''' ([[Sanskrit]]: ''ṛṣi'', Devanagari: ऋषि) denotes the composers of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic Vedic] hymns. However, according to post-Vedic [[tradition]], the rishi is a "seer" to whom the Vedas were "originally [[revealed]]" through [[states]] of [[higher consciousness]]. The rishis were prominent when Vedic Hinduism took shape, as far back as some three thousand years ago. |
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− | Many of ancient rishis were in [[fact]] [[women]], ''rishikas'' in [[sanskrit]]. According to the late Vedic Sarvanukramani text, there were as many as 20 women among the [[authors]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rig_Veda Rig Veda] known as ''rishika''. According to modern [[teachers]] Deepak Chopra and Swamini Mayatitananda, this number could be as high as 35. | + | Many of ancient rishis were in [[fact]] [[women]], ''rishikas'' in [[sanskrit]]. According to the late Vedic Sarvanukramani text, there were as many as 20 women among the [[authors]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rig_Veda Rig Veda] known as ''rishika''. According to modern [[teachers]] Deepak Chopra and Swamini Mayatitananda, this number could be as high as 35. |
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− | One of the [[foundational]] [[qualities]] of a ''ṛṣi'' is ''satyavāc'' (one who [[speaks]] [[truth]]) when composing Vedic hymns. According to [[tradition]], other sages might falter, but a ''ṛṣi'' was believed to speak [[truth]] only, because he existed in the Higher World (the unified field of [[consciousness]]). ''Ṛṣis'' provided [[knowledge]] to the world which included the knowledge of Vedas.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi] | + | One of the [[foundational]] [[qualities]] of a ''ṛṣi'' is ''satyavāc'' (one who [[speaks]] [[truth]]) when composing Vedic hymns. According to [[tradition]], other sages might falter, but a ''ṛṣi'' was believed to speak [[truth]] only, because he existed in the Higher World (the unified field of [[consciousness]]). ''Ṛṣis'' provided [[knowledge]] to the world which included the knowledge of Vedas.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rishi] |
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| [[Category: Religion]] | | [[Category: Religion]] |