Traditions of the Seven Rsis

CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES AND MAP GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION INTRODUCTION PART ONE: TEXT-HISTORICAL TRADITIONS THE FORMULATION OF THE GROUP Introduction Vedic Literature (a) The Sutras (b) The Brahmanas and Upanisads (c) The Vedic Samhitas The Vedic-Epic Transition (a) The Lists of the Group (b) Further Designations of the Group (c) Variant and Alternative Names of Rsis The Epics (a) The Ramayana (b) The Mahabharata (c) The Harivamsa The Puranas Astronomical and Literary Works Conclusion THE MANVANTARA TRADITIONS OF THE SEVEN RSIS Introduction to the Manvantara Theory The Lists of the Seven Rsis The Seven Rsis in Manvantaras and Yugas FACTORS AFFECTING THE FORMULATION OF THE GROUP Introduction Gotra Factors (a) Outline of the gotra Organisation (b) The Seven Rsis as Founders of Lineages (c) Relationships between the main Rsis (d) Gotra influences in the Rsi Traditions (e) Conclusion Regional Factors (a) The Region of the Group (b) The Region of the Rsis in the Vedic Literature (c) The Region of Rsis in the Ramayana (d) The Region of Rsis in the Mahabharata and the Puranas (e) Conclusion Conclusion THE ERA OF THE SEVEN RSIS Introduction The Views of the Astronomers on the Era The Puranic Accounts of the Era The Commencement of Cycles of the Seven Rsis (a) The Commencing Year of Individual Cycles (b) The Naksatra with which each Complete Cycle Commences The Origins of the Two Versions of the Era Conclusion CONCLUSION TO PART ONE PART TWO: MYTHOLOGICAL PHILOSOPHICAL AND MYSTICAL TRADITIONS THE SEVEN RSIS ON EARTH I: Cultic and Ascetic Roles Introduction Cultic Role (a) Seers and Composers (b) Sacrificers (c) Teachers Ascetic Role (a) The Nature of tapas (b) The Paths and Goals of Asceticism (c) Ascetic Rivalries (d) The Power of the Ascetic THE SEVEN RSIS ON EARTH II: Political and Family Roles Political Role (a) Performing Ceremonies for Kings (b) Obtaining Conquests for Kings (c) Ruling Kingdoms (d) Obtaining Sons for Kings (e) Obtaining Gifts from Kings (f) Cursing Kings Family Role (a) Asceticism and Sex (b) Asceticism and Marriage (c) The Principal Wives and Children of the Rsis (d) Conclusion THE SEVEN RSIS IN THE SKY Introduction Transference to the Sky (a) Transference through Sacrifice or Agni (b) Tapas as Fire (c) The Rsis as the Sun The Rsis as Ursa Major (a) The Rsis and the Bears (b) The Rsis and the Krttikas (c) The Position of the Rsis in the Sky THE SEVEN RSIS IN THE BODY Introduction The Rsis and the soma Sacrifice The Rsis in the Head Prana and the Pranas in the Upanisads The Eclipse of a Concept "THEN SHALL THEY SEE GOD" Introduction The Turning Wheel The Turning Centre CONCLUSION TO PART TWO GLOSSARY Abbreviations BIBLIOGRAPHY Texts and Translations Secondary Sources INDEX