Talk:Mantradrasta
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
mantradraṣṭā (‘seer of a [Vedic] mantra’) Vedas, the basic scriptures of Hinduism, are considered as ‘apauruseya’ (not man-made), but as revelations of God Himself through certain ṛṣis or sages. These sages only ‘saw’ (dṛś = to see) these mantras and uttered them. Hence they came to be known as mantradṛk or mantradraṣṭā. Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Madhucchandā, Medhātithi, Dīrghatamas, Asita Devala and Viśvāmitra are some of these sages. There are at least 27 women sages also. Before reciting a Vedic mantra, three things have to be stated. The first is the ṛṣi or the sage to whom it was revealed. The second is the chandas or the metre. The third is the devatā or the deity to whom it is addressed.