One of the seven sages called Saptarishi, Kashyap is considered to be the ancestor of almost everyone in India – including Dev, Daitya, Naga, Asur, Yaksh, Gandharva – all humans and other species.
‘Sapta’ means seven, and ‘Rishi’ means a sage or seer in Sanskrit hence, Saptarishi literally means ‘seven seers’. Saptarishi are the Brahmarishi or scholars who wrote the scientific Indian scriptures such as Ved, Puran, and Upanishad. They created and updated them from time to time. The legends say, Brahma created a series of scholars as ‘Manas Putra’ to impart wisdom and education to human beings.
Kashyap Muni Statue in Andhra Pradesh; Image by Srikar Kashyap
Rishi Kashyap
Rishi Kashyap is also one of the noted seven seers called Saptarishi. His name has been mentioned in many of the ancient Indian scriptures – including Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Atharva Ved, Patanjali Bhashya, Mahabharat, and numerous Puran such as Vishnu Puran, Markandey Puran, Matsya Puran, and Bhagvat Puran. He is also known as Anishtnemi.
He is believed to be the author of the 9th Mandal of Rugved. He was the son of Mata Kala and Rishi Marichi – who is one of the 10 mind-born sons of Brahma. He is the ancestor of almost everyone living in the Indian subcontinent – including Dev, Daitya, Naga, Asur, Yaksh, Gandharva, and all the other species. This way, Kashyap Rishi established the Surya Vansh.
Kashyap gotra is one of the most common family lineages in India. Generally, if anyone doesn’t know his/ her gotra, then such people are considered to be from Kashyap gotra. Kashyap Rishi is also believed to be the creator of the Gotra system which restricts marriage with a person of the same Gotra.
He and his wife Aditi were parents to the 5th avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu – Vaman Avatar. Later on, the Vaman avatar met King Bali and asked for land worth three steps. In these three steps, he conquered the three worlds, and King Bali presented his head to put the last step.
He and his wife Diti were parents to Hiranya-kashyap – with whom the famous legend of Bhakt Prahlad and Holika is connected. Today, we celebrate them as the festival of Holi.
There are many interesting legends around the two clans born from two of his wives – Naga clan with Kadru and Arun & Garuda with Vinata. The name ‘Anantnag’ is believed to be derived from the Naga clan.
Also, he is the ancestor of the Ikshvaku dynasty, which included Raghu Kul – the family lineage of Bhagwan Ram.
Rishi Kashyap’s Kashmir
Some legends say that the name ‘Kashmir’ originates from the name of Rishi Kashyap. It is believed that Rishi Kashyap’s ashram was situated atop Meru Mountain which is considered to be near present-day Kashmir.
There is an interesting tale of Rishi Kashyap striking the Baramulla/ Varaha-mukh mountains with his trident and draining the Satisar lake. This way, Rishi Kashyap defeated Jaldeo/ Jalodbhav and freed the most favourite place for Mata Parvati from his tyranny. This tale has been mentioned in numerous Buddhist and Islamic scriptures.
Rishi Kashyap made this area a center of research and studies. Numerous other Rishi and scholars – including Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya visited this place for penance and learning ancient Indian scriptures. This is why Kashmir was known as the land of Devi Sharada/ Saraswati.
