Rishi Marichi or Mareechi or Marishi was the mindborn son of Brahma and one of the Saptarishi. He is also the father of Kashyapa and the grandfather of the Devas and Asuras. He is the founder of Vedanta.The one is referred to as one of the previous reincarnations of the 24thTirthankaraMahavira.
Saptarishi
, a Sanskritdvigu meaning "seven sages" are the seven rishis who are extolled at many places in the Vedas and Hindu literature. The Vedic Samhitas never enumerate these rishis by name, though later Vedic texts such as the Brahmanas and Upanisads do so. While earlier texts do not mention Marichi as one of the seven, references can be found in the epic Mahabharata. In some parts of India, people believe these are seven stars of the Big 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. Marichi, like some of the other sages, followed the path of worldly duties denouncing total renunciation. He had many children, the notable being sage Kashyapa. Dharmavrata was one of the many consorts of the sage. Once she was cursed by the sage to become a stone for no fault of her. She pleaded innocence and proved it by immolating herself. Vishnu was pleased by her devotion. She requested Vishnu to revert her curse, but Vishnu said that the curse could not be reverted, but she would continue to be regarded as Devashila, which would be considered sacred in every Hindu house.
Prajapathis
Before the creation started, Brahma, the Hindugod of creation, needed a few people who can be held responsible for the creation of the remaining Universe. Therefore, he is believed to have created tenPrajapatis from his Manas and nine from his body. Marichi is one of the manasputras of Brahma. The ten Prajapatis are as follows:
The life of Marichi is known more by the account of his descendants, notably by the works of sage Kashyapa. Marichi is then married to Kala and gave birth to Kashyapa. He is believed to be formed out of the sustained energy of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is believed to have officiated the penance of Brahma at Pushkar, found in modern-day Rajasthan. He is also believed to have visited Bhishma during Mahabharatha, when he was lying on the arrow bed. Marichi is also quoted as the adviser of young Dhruva to pursue austerities. His name is featured in multiple Hindu scriptures like Brahmanda Purana and the Vedas. Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita says, "Of the Ādityas I am Vishnu, of lights I am the radiant sun, of the Maruts I am Marici, and among the stars I am the moon."
In Jain scriptures, Marichi was the son of Bharata Chakravartin who after many births was born as 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, Mahavira. In his life as Marichi, he became a Jain monk following Rishabhanatha, first tirthankara, but was unable to follow the hard rules of Digambara penance. So he took a robe, pedals and an umberalla and founded his own religion taking Kapila as his first disciple.
