Which constellation is known as 'Saptarishi' (seven sages) in Sanskrit?
In ancient Indian astronomy, the asterism of the Big Dipper (part of the constellation of Ursa Major) is called 'Saptarishi' with the seven stars representing seven rishis, namely "Vashistha", "Marichi", "Pulastya", "Pulaha", "Atri", "Angiras" and "Kratu". There is another star slightly visible within it, known as "Arundhati". "Arundhati" and "Vashishtha" are married, and together form the Mizar double.
The Saptarishi are the seven rishis (sages) in ancient India, who are extolled at many places in the Vedas and other Hindu literature. The 'Vedic Samhitas' never enumerate these rishis by name, though later Vedic texts such as the 'Brahmanas' and 'Upanisads' do so. They are regarded in the Vedas as the patriarchs of the Vedic religion.
Ursa Major is a constellation in the northern sky, whose associated mythology likely dates back into prehistory. In antiquity, it was one of the original 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. Today it is the third largest of the 88 modern constellations.
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