Epic Mythology c8.2

c8.2

§ 119. But the formal distinction between Brahmarṣis and Devarṣis is as little observed as that between Ṛṣis and Maharṣis; only the Rājarṣis stand out, on account of their royal origin. A Brahmarṣi of one passage is a Viprarṣi in another (13, 6, 37 compared with 3, 281, 14; 5, 176, 46), but the new name indicates that he who was first regarded as "seer of Brahman" has become a "Brahmanic (priestly) seer". Examples of Brahmarṣis are Atri and Aṅgiras; of Devarṣis, Nārada and Vasiṣṭha; of Rājarṣis, Vainya and other kings. Uśanas is a demons' Devarṣi (R 7, 81, 1), for there are also seers of the demons, Dānavarṣis (3, 169, 23). Utaṅka is a Viprarṣi (1, 3, 143). The Ṛṣis in general are countless. Eighty-eight thousand without offspring and fifty thousand with offspring are in Brahman's court (2, 11, 54, stereotyped figure). There are Brāhmalaukikas (R 7, 98, 24), belonging to Brahman's sphere, also Pārameṣṭhya Ṛṣis. Pitṛlokarṣis (in the South) live with Devarṣis and Rājarṣis there (5, 109, 5; ib. 9, Viprarṣis). Surarṣi = Devarṣi (R 6, 129, 53), of Nārada. These seers, of course, appear constantly anywhere. For example, when Kṛṣṇa goes along a road, he meets Devarṣis and Rājarṣis on either side of the way, both with brāhmī śrī or holy beauty, but acting like mortals (Rāma Jāmadagnya is their spokesman, 5, 83, 65). When the gods visit Indra with the seers, the latter lead (1, 226, 15); but the seers themselves, even the great Seven, follow Indra (2, 53, 12). They come with the gods to visit men at peace or in battle, cry Bravo to the brave and murmur blessings on the worlds (R 6, 90, 37, etc.). In 14, 77, 17 f., the Saptaṛṣis, Devarṣis, and Brahmarṣis "murmur victory to Arjuna"; all but the last group being frightened. As priests utter maṅgalyas before kings, so the Ṛṣis before Indra (5, 83, 8); their best wealth is truth (12, 56, 18). They may have children by nymphs, or by the grace of Śiva, or without woman's aid (Ālambāyana in 13, 18, 5 f., but see below). Their form of marriage is not interfered with by the gods (R 3, 55, 34). It is the seers who made the worlds and even the Deity reveres them (13, 31, 25; see also Brahman and Creation).