Matsyapurana 145.93

145.93

ityete ṛṣayaḥ proktās tapasā ṛṣitāṃ gatāḥ
teṣāṃ putrānṛṣīkāṃstu garbhotpannānnibodhata //

I shall describe to you the characteristics of the Ṛiṣis The Ṛiṣis, past and future, are of five kinds. Now, hear about the Ṛiṣis and the Ārṣas. When the Universal Dissolution takes place, when Prakṛiti's three qualities (guṇas) are in a state of equilibrium the division of the Vedas does not exist All are in an undefined state of darkness (Tamas) At that time the springing up of the animate objects unconsciously and of the embodied souls consciously, are both termed Ārṣa This is like fish and water, both exist like the container and the thing contained The universe made up of qualities springs up, presided by consciousness It flows on as cause and effect. It is kāla (time) that brings about the differentiation of the Prime Cause the Mahat Senses and objects of senses are denominated as arthas—64-69 Vṛihadyaśaś, Śaradvâna, Vâjaśravâ, Suchinta, Śiva Parâśara Śringi, Saṅkhapâda, the king Vaiśravana and they attained Rişihood by virtue of truthfulness This is the progeny of Îśvara and Rişis Now hear about the mantra krita Rişis They are—Bhṛigu, Kâśyapa, Prâchetî, Dadhîchi, Ûrva, Jâmadagni, Vedaḥ Śirasvata, Ârṣṭi Sena, Chyavana, Vitahavya, Vedhâsa Vainya, Prithu Divodâsa, Brahmavân Gritsa and Śaunaka They are 19 in number and of the family of Bhṛigu—95 100