Marishi is one of the Seven Great Sages (Saptarshi) in the First Manvantara. Rishi Marishi is Lord Brahma’s son. Marishi is believed to be the chief of ‘the shinning ones’ – the Maruts. Marishi is a sage who came from the mind of Lord Brahma.
The meaning of Marishi is ‘ray of light from the sun or the moon’. The process of constructing the remaining part of the Universe was a complicated one for Lord Brahma, at the beginning of time. It was for this purpose that he created the Prajapatis, (the ten rulers) with 9 coming from his body and one – Manas springing from his mind. Kala was Marishi’s wife. Kashyapa who was also known as the ‘Lord of Creatures’ was born to them. The Sun God, Surya was the grandson of Marishi, while Manu, the ‘father of humanity was his grandson.
According to Hindu mythology, Marishi went to collect flowers and wood to the forest one day and came back home very tired. He asked his wife to wash his feet for him. Lord Brahma arrived as she started washing her husband Marishi’s feet. Confused, she continued washing Marishi’s feet thinking whether she should turn attention to Brahma or continue washing Marichi’s feet. When she chose the former, she had to suffer her husband’s anger. The angry Marishi converted his wife into a stone by cursing her. Upset, she started meditation for years and in the process impressed Lord Vishnu. Vishnu granted her a wish. She wanted to lift Marishi’s curse but this was difficult as Marichi was a powerful sage. Instead, as desired by all gods, she got converted into a holy stone. Marishi is mentioned in the Ramayana many times.
