Sages

There are several references to Rishis or Sages in ancient Hindu religious texts. They are poets of Vedic hymns, according to the Vedas. The first sages were said to be the sons of Lord Brahma, who was also their teacher, according to a few religious texts. These sages are considered to be highly disciplined, righteous, and intelligent.

The Vedas are a series of hymns that present main Hindu teachings about the Divine and are translated as “knowledge” in Sanskrit. The Vedas, which are considered universal truths, were passed down through an oral tradition for thousands of years before being written down by Veda Vyasa. Vyasa is said to have founded and clarified the Vedic philosophy in the Puranas and Mahabharata (which includes the Bhagavad Gita, also known as the “Song of God”). Vyasa is said to have been born during the Dvapara Yuga, which ended around 5,000 years ago, according to Hindu texts. Time is cyclical, according to the Vedas, and is divided into four ages, or Yugas, named Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali (the present Yuga).