| Marichi | |
|---|---|
| Member of theSaptarishi | |
 Marichi | |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents |
|
| Spouse | Kalā, Urna, and Sambhuti[1] Dharmavrata |
| Children | |
Marichi (Sanskrit:मरीचि,romanized: Marīci,lit. 'ray of light') orMareechi orMarishi is the mind-born son ofBrahma, and one of theSaptarishi inHindu mythology. He is also the father ofKashyapa, and the grandfather of thedevas and theasuras.
InJainism, he is referred to as one of the previousreincarnations of the 24thTirthankara,Mahavira and the grandson ofRishabhanatha, the firstTirthankara.[2]
Saptarishi, aSanskritdvigu meaning "seven sages" are the sevenrishis who are extolled at many places in theVedas andHindu literature. The Vedic Samhitas never enumerate these rishis by name, though later Vedic texts such as theBrahmanas andUpanishads do so. While earlier texts do not mention Marichi as one of the seven, references can be found in the epicMahabharata. In some parts of India, people believe these are seven stars of theBig Dipper named "Vashista", "Marichi", "Pulastya", "Pulaha", "Atri", "Angiras" and "Kratu". There is another star slightly visible within it, known as "Arundhati". He is considered one among the seven great sages, the saptarishis.[3] Marichi, like some of the other sages, followed the path of worldly duties denouncing total renunciation. He had many children, the notable one being sageKashyapa.
Dharmavrata was one of the many consorts of the sage. Once, she was asked by her husband to massage his legs, during which he fell asleep. During this time, she was visited by Brahma, upon which she was struck with the dilemma of whether to receive the deity with the proper honours as was custom, or perform her husband's bidding. She chose to attend to the deity. When Marichi observed the absence of his wife, he cursed her to be petrified. She pleaded her innocence, and proved it by performing a penance amid the fires. Vishnu was pleased by her devotion. She requested Vishnu to revert her curse, but Vishnu said that the curse could not be reverted, but the stone she would be turned to would continue to be regarded asDevashila, which would be considered sacred and have the essence of theTrimurti andLakshmi.[4][5]
Before the creation started, Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, needed a few people who can be held responsible for the creation of the remaining Universe.[citation needed] Therefore, he is believed to have created tenPrajapatis (Ruler of the people) from hismanas (mind) and nine from his body. Marichi is one of themanasputras of Brahma. The ten Prajapatis are as follows:[6]
The life of Marichi is known more by the account of his descendants, notably by the works of sageKashyapa. Marichi is then married to Kala, and gave birth toKashyapa (Kashyapa is also sometimes acknowledged as a Prajapati, who has inherited the right of creation from his father).[6] He is believed to be formed out of the sustained energy of the Hindu godVishnu. He, along withNarada, is also believed to have visitedBhishma duringMahabharata, when he was lying on the arrow bed. Marichi is also quoted as the adviser of youngDhruva, assisting him in the pursuit of his austerities. His name is featured in multiple Hindu scriptures like theBrahmanda Purana and theVedas.[5]
Krishna in theBhagavad-Gita says, "Of theĀdityas I amVishnu, of lights I am the radiant sun, of theMaruts I amMarici, and among the stars I am the moon."[7]
In Jain scriptures, Marichi was the son ofBharata Chakravartin[8] who after many births was born as 24thTirthankara of Jainism,Mahavira.[2] In his life as Marichi, he became aJain monk followingRishabhanatha, first tirthankara, but was unable to follow the hard rules ofJain penance. So he took a robe, pedals and an umberalla and founded his own religion, takingKapila as his first disciple.
The sage is believed to have officiated the penance ofBrahma atPushkar, found in modern-dayRajasthan.