Page 9 - BHĀRATA –THE LAND OF SEERS AND SAGES
P. 9

A Few Prominent Rishis of Ancient India


































            Yajnavalkya




            A seer and philosopher, he was a great Brahma Jnani

            (knower of Brahman) of his times. He was also renowned for


            his knowledge of Vedic rituals and his talent for theological


            debate. His teachings are recorded in the Satapatha

            Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. He is the


            seer of Śukla Yajurveda and so also the seer of

            Ishopanishad which is its last chapter. He is also the


            composer of several other texts: Yājñavalkya Smriti,


            Yājñavalkya Shiksha, Pratijna Sutra, and Yoga-Yājñavalkya.




            Agastya



            Known by many names, Agastya was one of the Saptarishis


            who is believed to be the first Siddhar (the spiritual adepts

            who possess the eight supernatural powers/ ashta siddhis).


            He was handed over the knowledge of the Siddha medicine

            system by Lord Muruga (son of Lord Shiva and Parvati). He is


            considered to be the guru of all Siddhars. So revered is he


            that a mountain peak associated with medicinal herbs in

            southern India is named after him – Agastyamalai or Agastya’s


            hill.
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