Dirghatamas
Dīrghatamas
The blind seer — composer of the most philosophically daring riddle hymns
Born blind, Dirghatamas composed some of the most cryptic and philosophically profound hymns of the Rigveda. His Mandala 1 riddle hymns — especially RV 1.164 — are cascades of cosmological puzzles still being interpreted today by scholars worldwide.
Key compositions
A 52-verse hymn of cosmological riddles. The two-birds verse (1.164.20) became one of the most quoted in all Upanishadic philosophy.
A key verse
द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परि षस्वजाते । तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्ति अनश्नन्नन्यो अभिचाकशीति ॥
Two birds, bound together as companions, clasp the same tree. One of them eats the sweet fruit; the other looks on without eating.
Rigveda 1.164.20 — later quoted in the Mundaka and Shvetashvatara Upanishads
Lineage & disciples
Lineage / Gotra
Angirasa family
Notable disciples
His sons carried on the Gautama lineage