In Hinduism, a Rishi (ṛṣi) is a sage and/or seer who "heard" (cf. shruti) the hymns of the Vedas from the Supreme Being Brahman while he was in deep meditation. A rishi can be regarded as a combination of a patriarch, a priest, a preceptor, an author of Vedic hymns, a sage, a saint, an ascetic, a prophet and a hermit into a single person.

The word's etymology is unknown. It has an Avestan cognate ərəšiš (Yasna 31.5) "an ecstatic" (see also Yurodivy, Vates). Monier-Williams tentatively suggests derivation from drś "to see" and he also compares Old Irish arsan, "a sage, a man old in wisdom". Manfred Mayrhofer in his Etymological Dictionary prefers a connection to either ṛṣ "pour, flow" (PIE *h₁ers), or to ras "yell". A suggestion referenced by Julius Pokorny connects

In the Vedas, the word denotes a singer of sacred hymns, an inspired poet or sage, or any person who alone or with others invokes the deities in rhythmical speech or song of a sacred character. In particular, it refers to the authors of the hymns of the Rigveda, e.g. Kutsa, Atri, Rebha, Agastya, Kushika, Vasishtha, Vyashva. Later generations regarded the Rishis as patriarchal sages or saints, occupying the same position in India history as the heroes and patriarchs of other countries, constituting a peculiar class of beings in the early mythical system, as distinct from Asuras, Devas and mere mortal men.

Seven Rishis (the Saptarshi) are often mentioned in the Brahmanas and later works as typical representatives of the character

In Vedic astronomy, the Saptarshi form the constellation of Ursa Maior (e. g. RV 10.82.2; AV. 60.40.1. Metaphorically the Saptarshi may stand for the seven senses or the seven vital airs of the body.

See also

• Hindu Sages

Rishi Riši