According to Takarian tradition, the Holy Sages were mythical demigods. Their arrival and departure was prophesied in the Song of the Sages.
When the Ferengi Arridor and Kol landed in Takar in 2366, they conned the primitive Takarians into thinking they were the Holy Sages. As the Takarians had never seen a replicator before, they were so amazed they believed the Ferengi. Arridor took pleasure telling Takarians such as Kafar that he was the "Great Sage", while Kol took equal displeasure being identified as the "Lesser Sage." (VOY: "False Profits")