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Seeking spiritual guidance at every step, the Prachetas marry Marisha, sire Daksha and finally attain salvation.
The Prachetas Meet VishnuAs described in the article “The Descendants of Prithu”, the Prachetas submerged themselves in the holy lake and began to chant the mantra that Shiva had given them. They continued to do so for ten thousand years, when Vishnu appeared before them in his entire splendor, astride Garuda, his vahana. Vishnu said that he was very pleased with their devotion and wished them well. He said that the Prachetas would become a symbol for brotherly love because of the loving relationship they shared. He also foretold that the Prachetas would have a son who would be like Brahma and would play an instrumental role in populating the earth. Then Vishnu explained to them the background of their bride to be. Marisha, the Daughter of Pramlocha and KanduOnce the apsara named Pramlocha disturbed the sage Kandu in his meditations. The sage got enticed by the charms of the apsara and they mated. A daughter was born to Pramlocha from this union. She gave the daughter to the forest trees to care for and left for heaven. The sage went back to his meditation. Vishnu continued, “The daughter named Marisha has now grown up to be a beautiful girl and worthy of you in every respect. Seek her from the forest trees and marry her. She will bear you the son I spoke about earlier.” Vishnu said that before departing he would like to give the Prachetas a boon and asked them what they wanted. The Prachetas humbly said that all they desired was devotion to the total satisfaction of Vishnu. They added that one who has been given shelter by Vishnu would never need anything else. The Prachetas Meet BrahmaAfter Vishnu left, the Prachetas emerged from the water and sought the forest trees to claim their bride. The forest trees however had become overprotective and in the zealous execution of their duties refused to yield. This enraged the Prachetas who began to emit scorching flames from the mouths and threatened to burn the entire forest. Brahma sensed dander to the universe and immediately descended and calmed the Prachetas down. Brahma then advised the forest trees to give Marisha to the Prachetas. He explained to them that a father cannot keep a daughter forever and must give her away to her husband. He told the forest trees to play the role of the father in the absence of sage Kandu. The Prachetas married Marisha with due ceremony. Soon she conceived and gave birth to Daksha. This was the same Daksha whom Brahma had created from his thumb (refer "Creation in the Bhagavata Purana"). Daksha had then run foul of Shiva at the sacrifice at Kankhal and was forced to live one life as a mortal. This was that life. The Prachetas Meet NaradaAfter their father, Prachinabarhi, left for Kapila’s ashram, the Prachetas had the responsibility of governing the kingdom. After thousands of years of righteous rule, the Prachetas decided it was time for them to relinquish their material life. Like their ancestors they too left the kingdom to their son and went in search of a spiritual place where they could discard their mortal bodies. They reached the ashram of sage Jajali on the western shore of the country and began to meditate and live an austere life. It was at this time Narada paid them a visit. The Prachetas listened to a final sermon in devotion and spirituality from the great sage and thereafter yielded their mortal bodies and attained unison with the Supreme God. Please check my course on Hindu Mythology Please check my articles on Mythology from India
The copyright of the article The Prachetas in Hinduism is owned by Harsh Nevatia. Permission to republish The Prachetas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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