Marichi is one of the Prajapatis and one of the Saptarishis and is the Hindu Creator God. The meaning of Marichi is ‘beam of light’ or ‘ray of light’. He is also known as one of the Lords of Creation, Rishi-Marichi, Mareechi or Marishi. Marichi is the mind-born son of Lord Brahma who played a key role in the creating the Universe. He is grandfather of the Asuras and Devas, his wife was Kala and Kashyapa is his son.
Jain scriptures describe Marichi as the son of Bharata Chakravartin and grandson of Rishabhanatha, the first Jain Tirthankara. He is mentioned to as one of the previous reincarnations of the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira’s previous reincarnations. The Vedanta was founded by Marichi.
It is believed that the Hindu God of Creation, Brahma required help of some people to create the remaining Universe, before the creation began. Accordingly he created ten Prajapatis including Marichi, Narada, Atri, Bhrigu, Angirasa, Prachethasa, Pulaha, Vasishta, Pulasthya and Krathu.
One belief is that during the Mahabharatha, when Marichi was lying on the arrow bed, he visited Bhishma. When the young Dhruva wanted to follow austerities, he took help of the advisor Marichi.
Marichi is depicted in different ways including a male god having 2-6 arms and riding a boar or as a woman or man on an open lotus sitting on the back of 7 sows. He is also depicted as having 6-8 arms and three faces or as a woman with multiple arms holding a different weapon in each arm and sitting or perched on the back of a boar.
