Bhagavad Gita · Mahabharata Codex

The seven great seers

सप्तर्षि · saptarṣi

The seven mind-born sages from whom the families of seers descend

Look north on a clear night and you can still see them.

The seven great seers were born from the mind of Brahma at the start of creation and are the ancestors of the priestly families. The Mahabharata lists them as Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vasishtha, though other lists vary. They are identified with the seven stars of the Great Bear. Krishna says that they too come from him.