(
Hinduism,
Sanskrit)
A sacred sage, one who has renounced the world and lives as an ascetic. However, he is
more than an ascetic, having performed so many penances (tapasya) and
is such a spiritual giant, that it is said that the gods consider a
rishi their equal or even more. They are the seers of the world. In Ramayana, rishis are often endowed
with mystic powers.