Arya Samaj

Mitra · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:29 pm Post subject: Rishis

Namaste,

I came across this reference to a mantra in Yajurveda - chapter34 verse 55 . Mahatma Anand Swami says explaining this verse that seven Rishis protect this body constantly and two of them are awake even in sleep .
I dont have access to the translations so could anyone please explain what the Rishis here refer to?

Thanks,
Mitra.
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Namaste
Manurbhava

Shishya · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

Namaste Mitra Ji,

In my copy of Pandit Devi Chand's translation, he has the following note to this verse:

Mitra · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:20 am Post subject:

Thank You Shishya Ji. But are the senses called Rishis too ? I thought the five senses are also called Devatas . How does the word Rishi relate to the Senses ? Rishi in the more usual meaning means visionary , please correct me if I am wrong.
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Namaste
Manurbhava

Shishya · Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 2:25 am Post subject:

Namaste Mitra Ji,

No, I'd say you're on the right track. Rishi is said to be a derivative of drish-, which means 'to see' or 'to perceive'. The connection with the senses is that it is through them that we 'perceive' the world. Just as the Rishis are 'visionaries' which pass on their inspiration to man, so, too are the senses, along with the mind and the intellect, 'rishis' which pass on information to the indwelling Soul. At least, that's how I would interpret it.
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Namaste,

Shishya
ॐ

ॐ सह नावतु । सह तौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॥
"Together may we be protected. Together may we be profited. Together may we do a hero's work. May we learn intelligently. May we never hate one another."
-Brihadaranyaka & Taittiriya Upanishads