Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 9
Chapter 150 — Manvantarāṇi (The Manvantaras) and the Purāṇic Map of Vedic Transmission
वशिष्ठः काश्यपो ऽथात्रिर्जमदग्निः सगोतमः विश्वामित्रभरद्वाजौ मुनयः सप्त साम्प्रतं
vaśiṣṭhaḥ kāśyapo 'thātrirjamadagniḥ sagotamaḥ viśvāmitrabharadvājau munayaḥ sapta sāmprataṃ
فاسيشثا (Vasiṣṭha)، وكاشيابا (Kāśyapa)، ثم أتري (Atri)، وجامادغني (Jamadagni)، وكذلك غوتاما (Gotama)، ومعهما فيشفاميترا (Viśvāmitra) وبهاردفاجا (Bharadvāja)—هؤلاء هم الحكماء السبعة (Saptarṣi) في الحاضر.
Lord Agni (traditional Agni Purana narrator) addressing the inquirer (commonly Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Cosmology","secondary_vidya":"Philosophy","practical_application":"Reference list for identifying the current Saptarṣi set in manvantara discourse; used in teaching Vedic transmission lineages and in aligning Purāṇic narratives with ṛṣi-authorities.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Saptarṣi-nirdesha: Vasiṣṭha–Kāśyapa–Atri–Jamadagni–Gotama–Viśvāmitra–Bharadvāja","lookup_keywords":["Saptarishi","Vasiṣṭha","Kāśyapa","Viśvāmitra","Bharadvāja"],"quick_summary":"Enumerates the seven sages ‘at present’ (sāmpraṭam), serving as a compact index for ṛṣi-authority and manvantara-era Vedic stewardship."}
Concept: Knowledge continuity: Veda and dharma persist through ṛṣi-lineages appointed per epoch.
Application: Invoked to ground teachings in recognized seer-authority; supports traditional hermeneutics that trace mantras/sūktas to ṛṣis.
Khanda Section: Rishi-parampara and Vedic Lineages (Saptarishi-nirdesha)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Seven sages seated in a semicircle in a forest āśrama, each with distinctive attributes (kamaṇḍalu, akṣamālā, manuscripts), suggesting ‘present’ guardianship of Vedic knowledge.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Saptarṣis seated on kusa mats under stylized trees, bold outlines, each sage with jaṭā and kamaṇḍalu, palm-leaf manuscripts, serene expressions, ornamental border motifs.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, seven sages with gold halos, richly patterned robes over ascetic garments, sacred implements highlighted with gold, symmetrical composition, deep maroon background.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style, refined linework, labeled portraits of the seven sages in a teaching setting, soft colors, emphasis on clarity and identification.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed forest hermitage with seven ascetics in conversation, delicate flora, subtle shading, individualized faces, calligraphic name tags."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"contemplative","suggested_raga":"Ahir Bhairav","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: काश्यपो ऽथ = काश्यपः + अथ; अथात्रिः = अथ + अत्रिः; अत्रिर्जमदग्निः = अत्रिः + जमदग्निः
Related Themes: Agni Purana manvantara sections listing ṛṣis across epochs (near 150.7–150.12)
FAQs
This verse imparts rishi-identification (ṛṣi-nirdesha): a canonical listing of the Saptarishis used in Purāṇic and Vedic contexts for lineage, authority of teachings, and traditional attribution of mantra/knowledge streams.
By cataloging authoritative figures (the Saptarishis), the Agni Purana functions like a reference compendium—indexing the custodians of Vedic knowledge that underlie diverse subjects elsewhere in the text (ritual, dharma, polity, medicine, and śāstra).
Remembering and reciting revered rishis is traditionally held to purify speech and mind, strengthen one’s connection to paramparā (sacred transmission), and reinforce śraddhā (faith) in dharmic learning and practice.