Meet the Rishis, the poet-seers who composed the sacred hymns of the Rigveda. Explore their family lineages, regional origins, and unique stylistic signatures.
The KaNvas are a major family of Rishis, credited with composing a significant portion of the Rigveda, particularly in Mandalas 1 and 8.
91
Hymns
1313
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: I.13
The ANgirases are one of the most prolific families of Rishis, with hymns spread across many Mandalas. They are known for their focus on Agni and other deities.
345
Hymns
3582
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: I.142
The Agastyas are a prominent family of Rishis, with a notable presence in Mandala 1. They are associated with various deities and philosophical concepts.
35
Hymns
316
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: I.188
The GRtsamadas are the primary composers of Mandala 2. They are a branch of the BhRgu family and have a distinct stylistic signature.
39
Hymns
401
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: II.3
The ViSvAmitras are a royal family of Rishis, with a strong presence in Mandala 3. They are known for the famous Gāyatrī mantra.
97
Hymns
949
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: III.4
The Atris are the main composers of Mandala 5. They are a revered family of Rishis, with hymns dedicated to various deities.
96
Hymns
871
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: V.5
The VasiSThas are the composers of Mandala 7. They are a celebrated family of Rishis, known for their rivalry with the ViSvAmitras.
139
Hymns
1220
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: VII.2
The KaSyapas are a family of Rishis with a significant presence in Mandala 9. They are associated with Soma and other deities.
46
Hymns
410
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: IX.5
The Bharatas are a royal family of Rishis, with hymns in Mandalas 1, 9, and 10. They are associated with the Bharata tribe.
19
Hymns
169
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: X.70
The BhRgus are a prominent family of Rishis, with hymns in several Mandalas. They are known for their association with Soma and the fire-god Agni.
46
Hymns
468
Verses
Aprī-sūkta: X.110
| Mandala | Total Hymns | Total Verses | AGASTYAS (Hymns/Verses) | ANGIRASES (Hymns/Verses) | ATRIS (Hymns/Verses) | BHARATAS (Hymns/Verses) | BHRGUS (Hymns/Verses) | GRTSAMADAS (Hymns/Verses) | JOINT (Hymns/Verses) | KANVAS (Hymns/Verses) | KASYAPAS (Hymns/Verses) | UNKNOWN (Hymns/Verses) | VASISTHAS (Hymns/Verses) | VISVAMITRAS (Hymns/Verses) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MaNDala I | 191 | 2006 | 27/239 | 96/1047 | - | 13/100 | - | - | - | 27/321 | 1/1 | - | 9/91 | 18/207 |
| MaNDala II | 43 | 429 | - | - | - | - | 4/31 | 39/398 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| MaNDala III | 62 | 617 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2/29 | - | - | - | - | 60/588 |
| MaNDala IV | 58 | 589 | - | 58/589 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| MaNDala V | 87 | 727 | 1/4 | 3/19 | 79/655 | - | - | - | 1/15 | - | - | - | 1/15 | 2/19 |
| MaNDala VI | 75 | 765 | - | 75/765 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| MaNDala VII | 104 | 841 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2/9 | - | - | - | 102/832 | - |
| MaNDala VIII | 103 | 1716 | 1/21 | 25/460 | 7/88 | - | 4/46 | - | 4/76 | 55/933 | 6/74 | - | - | - |
| MaNDala IX | 114 | 1108 | 2/12 | 30/217 | 2/16 | 2/27 | 14/136 | - | 6/196 | 8/50 | 36/300 | 8/104 | 1/6 | 5/44 |
| MaNDala X | 191 | 1754 | 4/40 | 58/485 | 8/112 | 4/42 | 24/255 | - | 7/49 | 1/9 | 3/24 | 44/371 | 26/276 | 12/91 |
Total: 2 Hymns, 29 Verses (36, 62)
Total: 1 Hymns, 15 Verses (44)
Total: 2 Hymns, 9 Verses (101-102)
Total: 4 Hymns, 76 Verses (2, 42, 87, 102)
Total: 6 Hymns, 196 Verses (67, 86, 97, 101, 107-108)
Total: 7 Hymns, 49 Verses (96, 107, 127, 137, 167, 179, 181)
Hymn: X.115
Identified as a KaNva through self-identification in verse 5 and references by other KaNvas.
Hymn: X.48-50
Identified through thematic continuity, patronymics, gotra affiliations, and shared repetitions with other ANgirasic hymns.
Hymn: X.51-53, 79-80, 156, 187-188
Identified through thematic continuity, patronymics, gotra affiliations, and shared repetitions with other ANgirasic hymns.
Hymn: X.37, 158, 170, 181
Identified through thematic continuity, patronymics, gotra affiliations, and shared repetitions with other ANgirasic hymns.
Hymn: X.11-12, 138
Identified through thematic continuity, patronymics, gotra affiliations, and shared repetitions with other ANgirasic hymns.
Hymn: X.178
Identified through thematic continuity, patronymics, gotra affiliations, and shared repetitions with other ANgirasic hymns.
Hymn: X.90, 107, 121, 129-130, 161, 177, 183-184
Primarily PRAJAPATYAS, linked to PrajApati VaiSvAmitra (III.54-56) through shared verses and thematic focus on creation.
Hymn: X.129
Linked to PrajApati VaiSvAmitra (III.54-56) through shared verses and thematic focus on creation, a concept traditionally associated with ViSvAmitra.
Hymn: X.147
Identified through gotra names, specific word usage, and shared repetitions with other VasiSTha hymns or associates.
Hymn: X.99
Identified through gotra names, specific word usage, and shared repetitions with other VasiSTha hymns or associates.
Hymn: X.83-84
Identified through gotra names, specific word usage, and shared repetitions with other VasiSTha hymns or associates.
Hymn: X.95
Identified through gotra names, specific word usage, and shared repetitions with other VasiSTha hymns or associates.
Hymn: X.20-29, 38, 65-66, 73-74, 83-84, 86, 95, 99, 103, 119, 180
Identified through gotra names, specific word usage, and shared repetitions with other VasiSTha hymns or associates.
Hymn: X.10, 13-19, 135, 144, 154
Identification is based on YAmAyana and Mathita being BhRgu gotras, alternative names in AnukramaNIs, and thematic focus on funerals and death.