Devarishi (), is one of the three categories of

Rishi In Indian religions, a ''rishi'' ( ) is an accomplished and enlightened person. They find mention in various Vedic texts. Rishis are believed to have composed hymns of the Vedas. The Post-Vedic tradition of Hinduism regards the rishis as "gre ...

s, the other two being – ''

Brahmarishi In Hinduism, a Brahmarshi (Sanskrit ', a tatpurusha compound of ' and ') is a member of the highest class of Rishis ("seers" or "sages"). A Brahmarshi is a sage who has attained enlightenment and became a Jivanmukta by completely understanding th ...

'' (ब्रह्मर्षि) and '' Rajarishi'' (राजर्षि). ''Rajarishis'' were those

Kshatriya Kshatriya () (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority"; also called Rajanya) is one of the four varnas (social orders) of Hindu society and is associated with the warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the con ...

kings who gained the status of Rishi; the difference between a ''Rishi'' and a ''Brahmarishi'' was that of the degree of penance and accomplishment, and their life-span.

Etymology

Vāyu Purāņa (LXI.79-92) tells us that the root - ऋष, from which the word ऋषि (''

'') is derived, is used in the sense of motion (Knowledge), hearing truth and austerity, and gives the marks of a ''Devarishi''. It states that seers living in the celestial regions should be known as the blessed ''Devarishis'', and also those who are distinguished by their knowledge of the past, present and future and strict adherence to truth; they are the revealers of ''

Mantra A mantra ( ; Pali: ''mantra'') or mantram (Devanagari: मन्त्रम्) is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words (most often in an Indo-Iranian language like Sanskrit or Avestan) belie ...

'' and by virtue of their ''

Siddhi In Indian religions, (Sanskrit: '; fulfillment, accomplishment) are material, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of Yoga, yogic advancement through sādhanās such as medit ...

s'' ('supernatural powers') have unrestricted access everywhere. The same text earlier states that:- :देवर्षी धर्मपुत्रौ तु नरनारायणावुभौ , :वालखिल्याः क्रतोः पुत्राः कर्दमः पुलहस्य तु , , :पर्वतो नारदश्चैव कश्यपस्यात्मजावुभौ , :ऋषन्ति देवान् यस्मात्ते तस्माद्देवर्षयः स्मृताः , , the two sons of Dharma, Nara and Nārāyaņa;

Kratu Kratu () is described as one of the manasaputras, the mind-born children of the creator deity, Brahma, in Hinduism. He is also a rishi, who appears in two different ages. He is considered to be one among the seven great sages of the age of the ...

’s sons, collectively known as Vālakhilyas; Kardama, son of Pulaha; Parvata,

Nārada Narada (, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage-divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of the mind-created children of Brahma, the creator god. He appears in a ...

and the two sons of Kaśyapa, Asita and Vatsara, are called ''Devarishis'' because they can exercise control even over the celestials.

References

Vedanta Sanskrit words and phrases Hindu philosophical concepts {{Hindu-philo-stub