Rishika - The Female Rishi

There is a wrong impression that the Hindu spiritual spectrum is dominated by men.

Hinduism, right from the Vedic age has considered women as equals to men.

Scriptures such as Devi Bhagavata have even placed feminine power above masculine power.

Click below to listen to Pavamana Suktam 

Who are Rishikas? 

Rishika is the feminine gender of Rishi.

The term Rishi has got two meanings:

1. Someone to whom a mantra has been revealed.
2. Someone who is able to see beyond the ordinary world.

How does someone become a Rishi or a Rishika? 

By observing intense tapas.

Intense tapas purifies the mind.

In a pure mind, knowledge in the form of mantras arises.

This is different from knowledge acquired through books and learning.

If you look at the Vedic corpus, it becomes clear that all the Rishis and Rishikas have observed tapas.

Can Rishikas marry? 

Yes.

They can.

How do you recognize Rishikas? 

Along with every Sukta of the Vedas, the name of the Rishi or Rishika to whom it was revealed is also mentioned.

Who are the important Rishikas? 

1. सार्पराज्ञी - Sarparajni
2. सरमा देवशुनी - Sarama
3. जुहूः ब्रह्मजाया - Juhu
4. इन्द्राणी - Indrani
5. शची पौलोमी - Shachi
6. इन्द्रमातरो देवजामयः - Indramatas
7. अदितिः दाक्षायणी - Aditi
8. यमी वैवस्वती - Yami
9. श्रद्धा कामायनी - Shraddha
10. सूर्य्या सावित्री - Suryaa
11. दक्षिणा प्राजापत्या - Dakshina
12. लोपामुद्रा अगस्त्यपत्नी- Lopamudra
13. असामातिः अगस्त्यस्वसा- Asamati
14. शिखण्डिन्यावप्सरसौ- Shikhandinis
15. घोषा काक्षीवती- Ghosha
16. रात्री भारद्वाजी- Ratri
17. गोधा नारी- Godha
18. विश्ववारा आत्रेयी- Vishwavara
19. अपाला आत्रेयी- Apala
20. वाग् आम्भृणी- Vag
21. रोमशा भावयव्यपत्नी- Romasha
22. शश्वती आसङ्गराजपत्नी- Shashvati
23. शशीयसी तरन्तपत्नी- Shashiyasi
24. उर्वशी- Urvashi
25. नद्यः- Nadis
26. लाक्षा- Laksha
27. उपनिषत्- Upanishat
28. निषत्- Nishat
29. मेधा- Medha
30. श्रीः- Shri 

How many hands does Durga Maa have?

Durga Maa has got a thousand hands, but she is famous as the eighteen-handed Goddess. This is mentioned in the Vaikrithika rahasya of Durga Saptashati - अष्टादशभुजा पूज्या सा सहस्रभुजा सती.

Who was Adhira?

Adhira was a king who became an evil spirit after his death. He had given death sentence to an innocent woman and destroyed a Shiva Temple. These were the offences because of which he had to become an evil spirit and suffer. He worshiped Lord Shiva and begged for his pardon. The Lord gave him relief and made him his own attendant. ( Padma Purana. Pathala Khanda. Chapter 111 )