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The Saptarishi (from saptarṣi, a Sanskrit dvigu meaning "seven sages") are the seven rishis who are extolled at many places in the Vedas and Hindu literature. The Vedic Samhitas never actually enumerate these rishis by name, though later Vedic texts such as the Brahmanas and Upanisads do so. They are regarded in the Vedas as the patriarchs of the Vedic religion. The Big Dipper asterism is also called Saptarshi.

The earliest list of the Seven Rishis is given by Jaiminiya Brahmana 2.218-221: Vasistha, Bharadvaja, Jamadagni, Gautama, Atri, Visvamitra, and Agastya, followed by Brihadaranyaka Upanisad 2.2.6 with a slightly different list: Gautama and Bharadvāja, Viśvāmitra and Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha and Kaśyapa, and Atri. The late Gopatha Brāhmana 1.2.8 has Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Gautama, Bharadvāja, Gungu, Agastya, and Kaśyapa.

In post-Vedic texts, different lists appear; some of these rishis were recognized as the 'mind born sons' (Sanskrit: manasa putra) of Brahma, the representation of the Supreme Being as Creator. Other representations are Mahesha or Shiva as the Destroyer and Vishnu as the Preserver. Since these seven rishis were also among the primary eight rishis, who were considered to be the ancestors of the Gotras of Brahmins, the birth of these rishis was mythicized.

In some parts of India people believe these are seven stars named "Vashishta", "Marichi", "Pulastya", "Pulaha", "Atri", "Angiras" and "Kratu". There is another star slightly visible within it, known as "Arundhati".

Sapta Rishis[link]

Sapta Rishis are the Hierarchy working under the guidance of the Highest Creative Intelligence, God. The present batch of the Sapta Rishis: Bhrigu, Atri, Angirasa, Vasishta, Pulastya, Pulalaha and Kratu. They bring down to the earth the required Knowledge and Energies to strengthen the processes of Transition (Pralaya). They are naturally the most evolved Light Beings in the Creation and the guardians of the Divine Laws^[1].

Names of the Sapta Rishis[link]

In post-Vedic religion, Manvantara is the period of astronomical time within an aeon or Kalpa, a "day (day only) of Brahma"; like the present Śveta Vārāha Kalpa, where again 14 Manvantaras add up to create one Kalpa.

Each Manvantara is ruled by a specific Manu, apart from that all the deities, including Vishnu and Indra; Rishis and their sons are born anew in each new Manvantara, the Vishnu Purana mentions up to seventh Manvantara ^[2].

Manvantara in Hindu units of time measurement, on a logarithmic scale.

Second Manvantara - the interval of Swarochisha Manu[link]

Urja, Stambha, Prańa, Dattoli, Rishabha, Nischara, and Arvarívat.

Third Manvantara - the interval of Auttami Manu[link]

Sons of Vashishtha: Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Śankha, Praváhita, Mita, and Sammita.

Fourth Manvantara - the interval of Támasa Manu[link]

Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka, and Pivara.

Fifth Manvantara - the interval of Raivata Manu[link]

Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni.

Sixth Manvantara - the interval of Chakshusha Manu[link]

Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu.

The present, seventh Manvantara - the interval of Vaivasvata Manu[link]

Atri, Bhrigu, Kutsa, Vasishtha, Gautama, Kashyapa and Angirasa^[3].

The names of the current Saptarshis are: Atri, Bhrigu, Kutsa, Vasishtha, Gautama, Kashyapa and Angirasa. The Saptarishis keep changing for every Yuga. As per Hindu Shastras, there are four yugas - 1.Krita Yuga 2. Treta Yuga 3. Dvapara Yuga 4. Kali Yuga We are presently in tke Kali yuga, life span being 432,000 years [we are in 5103 year now in 2012]; Dvapara Yuga is twice Kali Yuga, Treta Yuga is thrice Kali yuga and Krita Yuga is four times Kali yuga. Over all, 4,320,000 years termed as 1 kalpa (life span of our earth). Then their is pralaya (where entire space will be covered by water) followed by next Krita Yuga and so on. 1000 Kalpas make the day of 12 hours for Brahma (Creator) and similarly 1000 Kalpas make night. Thus 1 day for Brahma constitutes 2000 Kalpas (=8,640,000,000 years). Thus 1 year constitutes 360 x 8,640,000,000 = 3,110,400,000,000 years; Life span of Brahma is 100 years = 100 x 3,110,400,000,000= 311,040,000,000,000 years

In Hindu astronomy the seven stars of the Saptarshi Mandal or Big Dipper or Ursa Major are named as

Vasishtha is accompanied by his wife the faint companion star Arundhati (Alcor/80 Ursa Majoris). the valid avatar's clan will be named after ASHVAMEDH

Saptarshis given in major Hindu texts[link]

1. The Shatapatha Brahmana and Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.2.4) acknowledge the names of seven rishis (or Saptarshis) as:

• Atri
• Bharadvaja
• Gautama
• Jamadagni
• Kashyapa
• Vasishta
• Vishvamitra

2. Krishna Yajurveda in the Sandhya-Vandana Mantras has it as:

• Angiras
• Atri
• Bhrigu
• Gautama
• Kashyapa
• Kutsa
• Vasishtha

3. Mahabharata gives the Seven Rishis’ names:

• Agastya
• Atri
• Kutsa
• Vasishtha

etc.

4. Brihat Samhita gives the Seven Rishis’ names as:

• Marichi
• Vasishtha
• Angiras
• Atri
• Pulastya
• Pulaha
• Kratu

The reason for the differences in the mentioned list is that there are seven Rishis who govern the functioning of the Cosmos in Batches and all the above mentioned Rishis have had the post of a 'Saptarishi' at some point in time.

The part played by Saptarshi in Kumarasambhava[link]

The Kumarasambhava is one among the five Mahakavyas written by the famous poet Kalidasa. The kavya is about the birth of the War-God Subramanya(Muruga). The saptarshi play a very important role in the sixth canto of Kumarasambhava.Their greatness is explained well in the Paramesvaraprabhava.

References[link]

1. ^ Sapta Rishis Path, the information to be found under menu selection RISHIS>Sapta Rishis
2. ^ Account of the several Manus and Manwantaras Vishnu Purana, translated by Horace Hayman Wilson, 1840, Book III: Chapter I. p. 259, The first Manu was Swáyambhuva, then came Swárochisha, then Auttami, then Támasa, then Raivata, then Chákshusha: these six Manus have passed away. The Manu who presides over the seventh Manwantara, which is the present period, is Vaivaswata, the son of the sun...
3. ^ Inhabitants of the Worlds Mahanirvana Tantra, translated by Arthur Avalon, (Sir John Woodroffe), 1913, Introduction and Preface. The Rishi are seers who know, and by their knowledge are the makers of shastra and "see" all mantras. The word comes from the root rish Rishati-prapnoti sarvvang mantrang jnanena pashyati sangsaraparangva, etc. The seven great Rishi or saptarshi of the first manvantara are Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha. In other manvantara there are other sapta-rshi. In the present manvantara the seven are Kashyapa, Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja. To the Rishi the Vedas were revealed. Vyasa taught the Rigveda so revealed to Paila, the Yajurveda to Vaishampayana, the Samaveda to Jaimini, Atharvaveda to Sumantu, and Itihasa and Purana to Suta. The three chief classes of Rishi are the Brahmarshi, born of the mind of Brahma, the Devarshi of lower rank, and Rajarshi or Kings who became Rishis through their knowledge and austerities, such as Janaka, Ritaparna, etc. The Shrutarshi are makers of Shastras, as Sushruta. The Kandarshi are of the Karmakanda, such as Jaimini.

ASHVAMEDH

Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal at X Factor Finalists Introduction
Background information
Birth name	Shreya Ghoshal
Born	(1984-03-12) March 12, 1984 (age 28)
Origin	Durgapur, West Bengal, India
Genres	Ghazal, Filmi, Hindustani classical music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sagarika
Website	shreyaghoshal.com

Shreya Ghoshal (born March 12, 1984) is an Indian singer. Best known as a playback singer in Hindi films, she also sings in other Indian languages including Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya,^[1] Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu.

Ghoshal's career began when she won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest as an adult. Her Bollywood playback singing career began with Devdas, for which she received National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer along with Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.^[2] Since then, she has worked in more than 180 films and received four National Film Awards, four Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and four Filmfare Awards South.

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Ghoshal was born on March 12, 1984 to a Bengali Hindu family in Durgapur, West Bengal. She grew up in Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota, Rajasthan. Her father, Mr. Biswajeet Ghoshal, works as a nuclear power plant engineer for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, whereas her mother is a literature post-graduate.^[3]

From the age of four, Ghoshal accompanied her mother on the harmonium. She got training in Hindustani classical music in Kota with Maheshchandra Sharma.^[4]

As a child, she won the children's special episode of the Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) contest on Zee TV. Kalyanji, who also judged the competition, convinced her parents to move to Mumbai.^[5] She trained with Kalyanji for 18 months and continued her classical music training with Mukta Bhide in Mumbai.^[4]

She studied at Atomic Energy Central School (AECS) at Rawatbhata and Anushaktinagar (Mumbai). After graduation she enrolled at SIES College.^[3]

Career[link]

Shreya Ghoshal caught the attention of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for a second time, this time as an adult.^[2] In 2000, he offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of the film Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai.^[2] Ghoshal sang five songs in the film. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, as well as Filmfare's RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. She also won the National Film Award for the song "Bairi Piya".^[6]

She has received Filmfare awards in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada industries and State Film Awards from Malayalam, Tamil industries. She debuted in South through the song "Yen Chellam" in Vasantha Balan's Tamil film Album and got noticed after singing "Munbe Vaa" from Sillunu Oru Kaadhal under composer A. R. Rahman.^[7] She debuted in Malayalam through a studio album of composer Alphons Joseph and later gave voice to his song "Vida Parayukayano" from Big B.^[8] Her songs in Malayalam film Anwar became huge hits in South India and topped many charts for weeks. In 2010, Shreya sang for the English independent film "When Harry Tries to Marry"

She has also been a judge for Star Voice Of India-Chhote Ustaad with singer Kunal Ganjawala and composer Pritam.^[9] Ghoshal was one of the three judges in X Factor (India) with Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.^[10]

Discography[link]

• Bendhechhi Beena (1998)
• O Tota Pakhi Re (1998)
• Ekti Katha (1999)
• Mukhor Porag (2000)
• Rupasi Raate (2000)
• Banomali Re (2002)
• Jabo Tepantor (2003)
• Akasher Mukhomukhi (2002)
• Swapner Pakha (2003)
• Thikana (2006)
• Ustad & the Divas (2006)
• Krishna Bina Ache Ke (2007)
• Kanadau Vitthalu (2007)
• Big B (Malayalam,2007)
• Jete Daao Amay (2008)
• Mazhi Gaani – Shreya Ghoshal (2008)
• A Tribute to R. D. Burman (2010)
• Ei Aakash Tomari
• Milan Piyasi
• Rim Jhim
• Tumi Bolo Ami Shuni

Screen[link]

• 2003: Ghoshal made an on-screen appearance in the Saaya film song "Har Taraf"
• 2011: First advertisement for jewellery store Joyalukkas in 5 languages (Hindi,^[11] Kannada,^[12] Malayalam,^[13] Tamil,^[14] Telugu^[15])

Awards, nominations and recognitions[link]

National Film Awards^[16]

• 2003: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas – Hindi)
• 2006: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dheere Jalna" (Paheli – Hindi)
• 2008: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met – Hindi)
• 2009: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Jeev Rangala" (Jogwa – Marathi) & "Pherari Mon" (Antaheen – Bengali)

Filmfare Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent
• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated

• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Agar Tum Mil Jao" (Zeher)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Noor-e-Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Filmfare Awards South^[16]

Won

• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Ninna Nodalenthu" (Mussanjemaatu)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Kizhakku Pookkum"(Anwar)^[17]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Un Perai Sollum" (Angadi Theru)^[17]

Nominated

• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Aakasha Bhoomi" (Mussanjemaatu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Moggina Manasali" (Moggina Manasu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Then Then" (Kuruvi)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) – "Merupulaa" (Chintakayala Ravi)^[18]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Oru Vetkam" (Pasanga)^[19]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Hoovina Banadhande"(Birugali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yenu Helabeku" (Maleyali Jotheyali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Eradu Jedeyannu"(Jackie)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yello Jinugiruva"(Just Math Mathalli)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Manju Mazha Kaattil"(Aagathan)^[20]

IIFA Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: IIFA Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated^[21]

• 2006: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Thode Badmash" (Saawariya)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Mere Dholna" (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
• 2010: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)

Zee Cine Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2006: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "So Jaoon Main" (Woh Lamhe)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri meri" (Bodyguard)

Screen Awards^[16]

Won

• 2004: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2006: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^[22]
• 2012: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - "Oh La La" (The Dirty Picture)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)
• 2010: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Noor E Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)

State Film Awards^[16]

• 2006: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2009: Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)

Apsara Awards^[16]

Won

• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)^[23]
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)^[21]
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)^[24]
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)

Nominated^[21]

• 2005: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aahista Aahista" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aaj Dil" (Blue)
• 2011: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Global Indian Film and Television Honours

Nominated

• 2006: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)^{[citation needed]}
• 2007: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)^{[citation needed]}
• 2011: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^{[citation needed]}

Winner

• 2012: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)

Asianet Film Awards

• 2011: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)
• 2012: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Pranayam, Rathinirvedam

Other Awards^[16]

• 2003: Sansui Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2003: Stardust Award – New Musical Sensation (Female) – (Devdas)^[25]
• 2004: Indian Telly Awards – Best Title Singer for a TV Show (Ye Meri Life Hai)
• 2005: Anandalok Puraskar – Best Playback Singer – (Manik)
• 2005: ETV Bangla Film Awards – Best Playback Singer – Female
• 2006: Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Female Playback Award – Shubho Drishti
• 2008: Zee Astitva Award – Excellence in Music
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Kannada) – "Na Naguva Modalene" (Manasaare)^[26]
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)^[26]
• 2010: BIG Bangla Music Award – BIG Bangla singer of the year (Female)
• 2010: Gulf Malayalam Music Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Anuragavilochananayi" (Neelathamara)
• 2010: Star Anando Sera Bengali Award
• 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)^[27]
• 2011: Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[28][29]
• 2011: Vijay Music Awards – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[30]
• 2011: Swaralaya Yesudas Award^[31]
• 2012: Big Star Entertainment Award for Best Female Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Maa Music Award for Best Female Singer - "Chali Chaliga" (Mr. Perfect) and "Seeta Seemantam"(Sri Rama Rajyam)

See also[link]

• List of Indian playback singers

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shreya Ghoshal

• Official website
• Shreya Ghoshal at the Internet Movie Database
• Shreya dislikes being called 'playback'
• Reality shows, all commercial: Shreya Ghoshal
• Playlist: Best songs of birthday girl Shreya Ghoshal