Mantradraṣṭā
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Mantradraṣṭā literally means ‘seer of a Vedic mantra’.
Sages who Uttered Mantra[edit]
Vedas, the basic scriptures of the religion, are considered as ‘apauruṣeya,’[1] but as revelations of God Himself through certain ṛṣis or sages. These sages only ‘saw’[2] these mantras and uttered them. Hence they came to be known as mantradṛk or mantradraṣṭā. Some of the sages who uttered this mantras are:
- Vasiṣṭha
- Vāmadeva
- Madhucchandā
- Medhātithi
- Dīrghatamas
- Asita Devala
- Viśvāmitra
There are at least 27 women sages also.
Chanting of Mantra[edit]
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.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore