Look up rishi in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Rishi (Sanskrit: ṛṣi, Devanagari: ऋषि) denotes the composers of Vedic hymns. However, according to post-Vedic tradition, the rishi is a "seer" to whom the Vedas were "originally revealed" through states of higher consciousness. The rishis were prominent when Vedic Hinduism took shape, as far back as some three thousand years ago.

Many ancient rishis were in fact women rishikas in Sanskrit.^[1] According to the late Vedic Sarvanukramani text, there were as many as 20 women among the authors of the Rig Veda, known as rishika. According to modern teachers Deepak Chopra and Swamini Mayatitananda, this number could be as high as 35.

One of the foundational qualities of a ṛṣi is satyavāc (one who speaks truth) when composing Vedic hymns. According to tradition, other sages might falter, but a ṛṣi was believed to speak only truth, because he or she existed in the Higher World (the unified field of consciousness). Ṛṣis provided knowledge to the world which included the knowledge of Vedas.

Etymology[link]

According to Indian tradition, the word was derived from the two meanings of the root rsh. Sanskrit grammarians^[2] derive this word from the second root which means (1) "to go, to move" (- Dhātupāṭha of Pānini, xxviii). V. S. Apte^[3] gives this particular meaning and derivation, and Monier-Williams^[4] also gives the same, with some qualification.

Another form of this root means (2) "to flow, to move near by flowing". (All the meanings and derivations cited above are based upon Sanskrit English Dictionary of Monier-Williams).^[4] Monier-Williams also quotes Tārānātha who compiled the great (Sanskrit-to-Sanskrit) dictionary named "ṛṣati jñānena saṃsāra-pāram" (i.e., "one who reaches beyond this mundane world by means of spiritual knowledge").

More than a century ago, Monier-Williams tentatively suggested a derivation from drś "to see".^[5] Monier-Wiliams also quotes the Hibernian (Irish) form arsan (a sage, a man old in wisdom) and arrach (old, ancient, aged) as related to rishi. In Sanskrit, forms of the root rish become arsh- in many words, (e.g., arsh. Monier-Williams also conjectures that the root drish (to see) might have given rise to an obsolete root rish meaning "to see".

However, the root has a close Avestan cognate ərəšiš^[6] "an ecstatic" (see also Yurodivy, Vates). Yet, the Indo-European dictionary of Julius Pokorny connects the word to a PIE root *h₃er-s meaning "rise, protrude", in the sense of "excellent, egregious".

Modern etymological explanations such as by Manfred Mayrhofer in his Etymological Dictionary^[7] leave the case open, and do not prefer a connection to ṛṣ "pour, flow" (PIE *h₁ers), rather one with German rasen "to be ecstatic, be in a different state of mind" (and perhaps Lithuanian aršus).

Other uses[link]

In Carnatic Music, "Rishi" is the seventh chakra (group) of Melakarta ragas. The names of chakras are based on the numbers associated with each name. In this case, there are seven rishis and hence the 7th chakra is "Rishi".^[8][9]

"Seer" of the Vedas[link]

In the Vedas, the word denotes an inspired poet of Ṛgvedic hymns, who alone or with others invokes the deities with poetry. In particular, Ṛṣi refers to the authors of the hymns of the Rigveda. Post-Vedic tradition regards the Rishis as "sages" or saints, constituting a peculiar class of divine human beings in the early mythical system, as distinct from Asuras, Devas and mortal men.

The main rishis recorded in the Brahmanas and the Rigveda-Anukramanis include Gritsamada, Vishvamitra, Vamadeva, Atri, Bharadvaja, Vasishta, Angiras, Kaṇva.

Seven Rishis (the Saptarshi) are often mentioned in the Brahmanas and later works as typical representatives of the pre-historic or mythical period; in Shatapatha Brahmana 14.5.2.6 (Brhad Aranyaka Upanisad), their names are Uddālaka Āruni (also called Gautama), Bharadvaja, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, and Atri. Daksha, Bhrigu and Nārada were also added to the saptarshis riṣis in Āshvalāyana-Shrauta-Sutra, where these ten principals were created by the first Manu (Svāyambhuva Manu) for producing everyone else.

In Mahabharata 12, on the other hand, there is the post-Vedic list of Marici, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya and Vasishtha. The Mahābhārata list explicitly refers to the saptarshis of the first manvantara^[4] and not to those of the present manvantara. Each manvantara had a unique set of saptarshi. In Harivamsha 417ff, the names of the Rishis of each manvantara are enumerated.

In addition to the Saptarṣi, there are other classifications of sages. In descending order of precedence, they are Brahmarshi, Maharshi, Rajarshi. Devarṣi, Paramrṣi, Shrutarṣi and Kāndarṣi are added in Manusmriti iv-94 and xi-236 and in two dramas of Kālidasa.

The Chaturvarga-Chintāmani of Hemādri puts 'riṣi' at the seventh place in the eightfold division of Brāhmanas. Amarakosha^[10] (the famous Sanskrit synonym lexicon compiled by Amarasimha) mentions seven types of riṣis : Shrutarshi, Kāndarshi, Paramarshi, Maharshi, Rājarshi, Brahmarshi and Devarshi. Amarakosha strictly distinguishes Rishi from other types of sages, such as sanyāsi, bhikṣu, parivrājaka, tapasvi, muni, brahmachāri, yati, etc.

Female Rishis (Rishikas)[link]

There are several notable female rishikas who contributed to the composition of the Vedic scriptures.

The Rig Veda mentions Romasha, Lopamudra, Apala, Kadru, Visvavara, Ghosha, Juhu, Vagambhrini, Paulomi, Yami, Indrani, Savitri, and Devajami.

The Sama Veda adds Nodha, Akrishtabhasha, Sikatanivavari and Gaupayana.

Astronomy[link]

In Hindu astronomy, the Saptarṣi (seven rishis) form the constellation of Ursa Major,^[11] which are distinct from Dhruva (Polaris).

See also[link]

• Saptarshi
• Apaurusheyatva
• Yogini
• Vedas
• Hindu sages

Notes[link]

References[link]

Constructs such as ibid., loc. cit. and idem are discouraged by Wikipedia's style guide for footnotes, as they are easily broken. Please improve this article by replacing them with named references (quick guide), or an abbreviated title. (July 2010)

• Apte, Vaman Shivram (1965), The Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Fourth Revised and Enlarged ed.), New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-0567-4 .
• Apte, Vaman Shivram (1966), Sanskrit-Hindi Koṣa (Reprint 1997 ed.), New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass .
• Chopra, Deepak (2006), Life After Death: The Burden of Proof (first ed.), Boston: Harmony Books .
• Śāstri, Hargovind (1978), Amarkoṣa with Hindi commentary, Vārānasi: Chowkhambā Sanskrit Series Office 
• Kosambi, D. D. (1956), An Introduction to the Study of Indian History (Second ed.), Bombay: Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd, 35c Tardeo Road, Popular Press Bldg, Bombay-400034 

Rishi Kapoor
Born	(1952-09-04) 4 September 1952 (age 59) Chembur Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Chintu Ji
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Director
Years active	1970, 1973–present
Spouse	Neetu Singh (1980–present)
Children	Riddhima Kapoor Sahani, Ranbir Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor (Hindi: ऋषि कपूर) (born 4 September 1952^{[citation needed]}) is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.

Early life[link]

Born in south mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor.

Career[link]

Rishi Kapoor debuted in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, playing his father's role as a child. Rishi Kapoor had his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the popular 1973 film Bobby which became an instant hit among youngsters. Since then he played leading roles as the romantic lead in over 100 films. He made a popular pairing with future wife Neetu Singh in films such as Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Doosra Aadmi (1978). In the 1980s he appeared in hit films like Karz (1980), Naseeb (1981), Kaatilon Ke Kaatil (1981), Prem Rog 1982), Coolie (1983), Saagar (1985), Nagina (1986) and Chandni (1989). In the 1990s he continued to appear in hits like Henna (1991) which was his father's last directorial film later completed by his brother Randhir, Bol Radha Bol (1992), Deewana (1992) and Damini - Lightning (1993). After several box office failures from the mid 1990s, he eventually moved on to supporting roles in the 2000s. In 1999 he directed the film Aa Ab Laut Chalen, starring Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, Kader Khan, Paresh Rawal and Jaspal Bhatti

His last film as a romantic lead was the delayed release Karobaar: The Business of Love (2000). He has since then played supporting roles in films like Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002), Hum Tum (2004), Fanaa (2006), Namaste London (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Patiala House (2010). He also appeared in the British films Don't Stop Dreaming (2007) and Sambar Salsa (2008). He reunited onscreen with Neetu Singh in the film Do Dooni Chaar (2010).

Kapoor has acted in Heena, directed by his brother, Randhir Kapoor and his father, the late Raj Kapoor, and in Prem Granth, a movie produced by the three Kapoor brothers (Rishi, Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor, directed by Rajiv Kapoor).

Rishi has acted in the movie Chintu Ji in which he plays himself. The film has references that pertain to Raj Kapoor, his father, his mother, his wife and his earlier films like Chandni, Mera Naam Joker and others.^[1] In 2012 he appeared in a villainous role in Agneepath and in the multi-starrer Housefull 2 where he appeared with brother Randhir for the first time.

Personal life[link]

Rishi Kapoor is married to actress of the seventies, Neetu Singh. Initially when Kapoor told his parents that he wanted to marry Singh, they refused, as did Singh's parents. It is famously known that Kapoor went to Singh's house while he was sick and had a fever to go ask for Neetu Singh's hand in marriage. His determination did not go unnoticed, and eventually both sides agreed. The couple tied the knot in 1981 after a highly publicized engagement. Kapoor was 29 at the time. Today Kapoor and Singh are happily married and have two children; Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and designer Riddhima Kapoor Sahani. Rishi is the paternal uncle of today's actresses Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

Awards[link]

National Film Awards[link]

• 1971 - National Film Award for Best Child Artist for Mera Naam Joker

Filmfare Awards[link]

Winner

• 1974 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Bobby
• 2008 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2011 - Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar

Nominated

• 1980 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Sargam
• 1983 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Prem Rog
• 1986 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Tawaif
• 1990 - Filmfare Best Actor Award for Chandni
• 2010 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Luck By Chance

Other Awards[link]

• 1970 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards: Special Award for Mera Naam Joker.^[2]
• 2006 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement
• 2007 - MTV Lycra Awards: Maha Style Icon of the Year 2006.[2]
• 2008 - FICCI "Living Legend in Entertainment" Award.^[3][4]
• 2008 - Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image International Film (M.A.M.I).^[5]
• 2009 - Honoured by Russian Government for contribution to cinema.^[6]
• 2010 - Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Love Aaj Kal.^[7]
• 2010 - Star Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor for Luck By Chance
• 2011 - Zee Cine Awards: Best Lifetime Jodi along with Neetu Singh.^[8]
• 2011 - Stardust Award for Best Actor for Do Dooni Chaar.^[9]

Filmography[link]

Following is the filmography of Rishi Kapoor along with his "Lead Female Actors".