Our Rishi
Rishi Angira
The Father of Jyotish
The ancient Vedic sage whose wisdom laid the foundation for the science of Jyotish, and from whose lineage flows the tradition we carry forward at Angira Jyotish.
Who was Rishi Angira
Rishi Angira (Sanskrit: अङ्गिरस्, Angiras) is one of the most ancient and revered sages in the Vedic tradition. He is counted among the Saptarishis of the first Manvantara (Svayambhuva), alongside Marichi, Atri, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vasishtha.
According to the Brahmanda Purana, Angira was born from the mind (or mouth) of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. He is classified as a Brahmarshi — one who has attained unity with Para-Brahman through rigorous penance and spiritual practice.
The Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas (composed c. 1500-1200 BCE), contains numerous hymns attributed to the Angirasas. The Atharvaveda itself is named "Atharvangirasah" — a compound of Atharvan and Angiras — acknowledging Angiras as a co-source of this sacred knowledge.
Father of Jyotish
Rishi Angira is traditionally revered as the "Father of Jyotish" (ज्योतिष के पिता). This attribution carries deep significance:
✦ Brihaspati — His Son
Brihaspati (Jupiter/Guru), the preceptor of the Devas and the planetary lord of wisdom, knowledge, and astrology itself, is the son of Rishi Angira. The entire tradition of Jyotish flows through the Angiras lineage.
✦ Vedanga Jyotish
Jyotish is one of the six Vedangas (limbs of the Vedas). As a Vedic rishi who "saw" the mantras through tapas, Angira stands at the root of the Vedic knowledge system that includes Jyotish.
✦ Astronomer-Priests
The Angirasas were astronomer-priests who calculated time, tracked celestial bodies, and performed rituals at precise astronomical moments. This practice formed the basis of Vedic astrology.
✦ Fire Worship
Along with Rishi Bhrigu, Angira is traditionally credited with introducing fire-worship (Agni Puja/Yajna). The ritual observation of celestial events through fire ceremonies led to the development of timekeeping and astronomical science.
The Angira Gotra
From Rishi Angira flows the Angira Gotra (आङ्गिरस गोत्र) — one of the most ancient and respected Brahmin lineages in Hindu tradition. The Pravara (lineage of rishis invoked during rituals) for this gotra is: Angiras, Brihaspati, Samvartana.
◆ Gautama Gotra
Descended from Angira through his grandson Dirghatamas (son of Utathya). Gautama Maharishi, founder of the Nyaya school of philosophy, is a descendant of Angira.
◆ Bharadvaja Gotra
Descended from Angira through his son Brihaspati. Bharadvaja is one of the Saptarishis of the current (Vaivasvata) Manvantara — so while Angira is not in the current Saptarishi list, his lineage continues through two of the seven.
◆ Angira Brahmins
A recognized Brahmin community across India. Marriage within the same gotra (sagotra vivaha) is prohibited, maintaining the purity of the lineage.
Contributions to Vedic Literature
✧ Rigveda Hymns
The Angiras clan authored numerous hymns in Mandalas I, II, V, VIII, IX, and X of the Rigveda. These hymns praise Agni (fire), Indra, and other Vedic deities.
✧ Atharvaveda
Named "Atharvangirasah" — the compound acknowledges Angiras as co-source alongside Atharvan. The Atharvaveda contains hymns for healing, protection, and daily life.
✧ Mantra-Drashta
Angira is credited as a mantra-drashta (seer of mantras) — the hymns were not composed but "seen" through meditative penance (tapas). This is the Vedic understanding of revelation.
✧ Buddhist Recognition
Even the Buddhist Digha Nikaya (Tevijja Sutta, c. 3rd century BCE) names Angiras among 10 early sages whose verses were chanted in the Buddha's era — an independent confirmation of his antiquity.
Among the Saptarishis
In the first Manvantara (Svayambhuva), Rishi Angira is listed as one of the seven cosmic sages (Saptarishis):
In the current (Seventh/Vaivasvata) Manvantara, Angira is not in the list — but his descendants Gautama and Bharadvaja ARE among the current Saptarishis, so his lineage continues through two of the seven.
Family and Descendants
| Father | Lord Brahma (born from his mind/mouth) |
|---|---|
| Wives | Surupa, Smriti (daughter of Daksha), Svadha, Shubha — accounts vary across Puranas |
| Sons | Utathya, Brihaspati, Samvartana |
| Grandsons | Dirghatamas (son of Utathya), Bharadvaja (son of Brihaspati) |
| Class | Brahmarshi — attained unity with Para-Brahman |
Role in Hindu Rituals
Gotra Invocation
Brahmins of Angiras gotra invoke "Angirasa" during sandhyavandanam and other daily rituals.
Pravara Recitation
The three-rishi pravara (Angiras, Brihaspati, Samvartana) is recited during yajnas and sacred ceremonies.
Tarpana
Water offerings (tarpana) are made to Angira as pitri-devata by his gotra descendants during Shradh and other memorial rites.
Guruvar (Thursday)
Thursday, the day of Brihaspati (Jupiter), indirectly honors the Angiras lineage through his son — the planetary lord of wisdom and astrology.
Scriptural References
Rigveda
Primary Vedic source — Angirasas as hymn authors
Atharvaveda
Named "Atharvangirasah"
Brahmanda Purana
Lineage and birth narratives
Mahanirvana Tantra
Lists Angiras in first Manvantara Saptarishi
Digha Nikaya (Buddhist)
Buddha names Angiras among 10 early sages
Gotra-Pravara-Manjari
Gotra system documentation
From Angira flows the light of Jyotish. Through his descendants — Brihaspati, Gautama, Bharadvaja — that light continues to guide seekers through the ages.
— Traditional verse honoring the Angiras lineage
Carrying the Tradition Forward
At Angira Jyotish, we carry forward the tradition that flows from Rishi Angira through Brihaspati and generations of practitioners. Our work is rooted in the same Vedic wisdom that Angira received through tapas.