Saptarishis also called the Sapta-Rishis are the Seven Super Special Sages in India. They are the divinely inspired and extra special Rishis who wrote the spiritual truths and made their greatest contributions to the world. In Vedic realm these are the Seven Super Special Sages including Atri, Bhrigu, Angiras, Kratu, Pulastya, Pulaha and Vasishtha. Saptarishis proudly take place in the night sky in Ursa Major as the Big Dipper which is called Saptarishi (The Seven Sages) in Hinduism. Names of the other powerful Sapta Rishis include Gautama, Bharadwaja, Vishwamitra, Kashyapa and Jamadagni.
With their power of penance and yogic power the Seven Sages have achieved an increasingly long lifespan and semi-immortal status. The task allotted to the sages was to be present through the 4 great ages and provide guidance to humans. By working in close association with Lord Shiva, the Sapta Rishis ensured that balance is maintained on Earth.
Sapta Rishis are also called the mind-born sons of Lord Brahma and are believed to live in the Manvantara period numbering to 306,720,000 Earth Years. They represented Lord Brahma and when the Universe gets demolished at the end of a Manvantara, the Sages merge in God, are selected as the new Sapta Rishi and assigned the task of filling the Earth.
Sapta Rishis are basically the Brahmarishis who have fully understood the meaning of Brahman. Lord Brahma assigns the title of Brahmarishi by way of merit as well performing austerities. Brahman awarded Vishwamitra, the rank of Brahmarishi. Vishwamitra attained this rank by performing austerities (Tapasya), meditation for tens of thousands of years and through his own merit.
