Rishi

In Hinduism, the Rishis are sages and/or seers who "heard the hymns of the Gods"; and then wrote them down as Vedic scriptures. Seven seers have the special status of "Saptarishi". They included Atri, Gautama, Bharadwaja, Vasistha, Viswamitra, Jamadagni and Kasyapa. In Hindu astronomy, the stars of the Big Dipper are named for the Saptarishi. They, with Vishnu, brokered the truce between Vritra and Indra.

In addition to "Saptarishi," there are other classifications of sages. In descending order of precedence, they are Brahmarishi, Maharishi, Rajarishi, and Rishi.