The Vishnu Purana - Vedic Yagya Center

from the tree and whom Soma had brought up. Soma offered Marisha in marriage to the
Prachetas. He promised them that the son who would be born, Daksha, would people the
world. Soma also told the Prachtas the story of Marisha’s birth.
Many years ago, there used to be a sage called Kandu. This sage was performing difficult
tapasya on the banks of the river Gomati. To disturb him, Indra sent an apsara (dancer of
heaven) named Pramlocha. Kandu fell in love with her, married her and lived with her for
more than a hundred years in a valley in the mountain Mandara. When more than a
hundred years had passed, the apsara wished to return to heaven. But Kandu said, "Stay
for some more time." Pramlocha again stayed there for some more than a hundred years
and wished to return to heaven after these hundred years had passed. But Kandu again
said, "Stay for some more time." And this went on and on.
After many years had passed, Kandu regained his senses. He said, "Wife, one whole day
is over. It is now evening. Let me say my prayers."
"One day," exclaimed Pramlocha. "Are you not aware that nine hundred and eighty-seven
years, six months and three days have passed since you married me"
This made Kandu realize what had happened. He went back to his tapasya and allowed
Pramlocha to return to heaven. On her way towards heaven, Pramlocha wiped her sweat
on the leaves of trees. She was bearing a baby and the baby came out with the sweat and
was left with the trees. It was this baby who grew up and became Marisha.
In an earlier life, Marisha had been married to a king. But the king had died when Marisha
had been very young. The young widow had prayed to Vishnu and Vishnu had agreed to
grant her a boon. The widow had desired the boon that she might have a son like Brahma
and that she might have good husbands in several lives. Vishnu had promised her that
she would have a son like Brahma and that she would have several good husbands in
the same life. That is why Marisha was now simultaneously married to the ten Prachetas.
Daksha was then born. The same Daksha who had earlier been the son of Brahma.
Daksha had sixty daughters. Ten of them were married to Dharma, thirteen to Kashyapa,
twenty-seven to Chandra, four to Arishtanemi, two to Angirasa and two to Krishasha. The
thirteen daughters who were married to Kashyapa were Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kala, Arishta,
Surasa, Surabhi, Vinata, Tamra, Krodhavasha, Ira, Kadru and Muni.
Kashyapa and Diti had two brave sons¾ Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha.
Hiranyakashipu’s sons were Anuhlada, Hlada, Prahlada and Sanhlada.
The Story of Prahlada
Hiranyakashipu had received a boon from Brahma. On the strength of this boon, he
conquered the three worlds. He drove out Indra from heaven and assumed the title of
Indra. He also assumed the titles of Savita, Vayu, Agni, Varuna, Soma, Kubera and Yama.
The gods fled from heaven (svarga) and roamed around the world in human forms.
Everyone had to worship Hiranyakashipu, the king of the daityas (the sons of Diti).
Hiranyakashipu lived in a magnificent palace made of crystal. There the apsaras danced.
And Hiranyakashipu indulged in drinking wine.