The Prajapatis, or the ten sons of Lord Brahma, played significant roles in Hindu mythology and are believed to be the progenitors of the human race. They were born from Lord Brahma’s mind and hence referred to as Manas Putras or mind-sons.

1. Marichi Rishi

Marichi Rishi, also known as Mareechi or Marishi, is the son of Lord Brahma. He is counted among the Saptarishis, the seven great sages of the First Manvantara. Marichi is married to Kala and together they have a son named Kashyapa.

2. Atri Rishi

Atri Rishi is a revered sage and scholar. He is considered the ancestor of various Brahmin, Prajapati, Kshatriya, and Vaishya communities who adopt Atri as their gotra. Atri is one of the Saptarishis in the present Manvantara. In his previous birth, Atri was born again from the flames of a sacrifice performed by Lord Brahma after the sons of Brahma were destroyed by a curse from Lord Shiva. His wife in both incarnations is Anasuya. In his first life, they had three sons: Datta, Durvasas, and Soma, who are considered incarnations of the Divine Trinity Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Rudra (Lord Shiva) respectively. In his second life, they had a son named Aryaman and a daughter named Amala.

3. Angirasa Rishi

Angirasa Rishi, along with sage Atharvan, is credited with formulating most of the fourth Veda, Atharvaveda. He is also mentioned in the other three Vedas. His wife is Surupa, and they have three sons: Utathya, Samvartana, and Brihaspati.

4. Pulaha Rishi

Pulaha Rishi was born from Lord Brahma’s navel. He was initially burned due to a curse by Lord Shiva but was reborn in the Vaivasvata Manvantara from Agni’s hair. In his first birth, Pulaha Rishi was married to Kshama (Apology), one of Daksha’s daughters. They had three sons: Kardama, Kanakapeetha, and Urvarivat, and a daughter named Peevari.

5. Pulatsya Rishi

Pulatsya Rishi was the medium through which some of the Puranas were communicated to mankind. He received the Vishnu Purana from Brahma and communicated it to Parashara, who made it known to humanity. Pulatsya Rishi was one of the Saptarishis in the first Manvantara. He was married to Havirbhoo, one of Kardam Ji’s daughters. They had two sons: Maharishi Agastya and Visravas. Visravas went on to become the father of Kubera and Ravana, and all the Rakshasas are believed to have descended from him.

6. Kratu Rishi

Kratu Rishi was a Prajapati and a beloved son of Lord Brahma. His wife was named Santhati, and they had 60,000 children who are known as the Valakhilyas. In the Vaivaswata Manvantara, Kratu Rishi was born from Lord Brahma’s hand. As he had no family or children in this birth, he adopted Idhvaaha, the son of Agastya, as his own. Kratu is also considered one of the Bhargavas.

7. Vashistha

Vashistha is one of the Saptarishis in the present Manvantara. He is credited as the chief author of Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. Vashistha possessed the divine cow Kamadhenu and her child Nandini, who could grant anything to their owners. He is also associated with the Vedic system of electional astrology and is attributed as the author of the “Vashistha Samhita.” Vashistha was married to Arundhati, and their names are symbolically represented in the stars Mizar and Alcor in traditional Indian astronomy. Vashistha and Arundhati are revered as a symbol of marital closeness, often alluded to during wedding ceremonies.

8. Prachetasa

Prachetasa is a figure of mystery in Hindu mythology. According to the Puranas, he was one of the ten Prajapatis, ancient sages and law-givers. There is also a reference to ten Prachetas who were the sons of Prachinabarhis and the great-grandsons of Prithu. They were said to have lived for 10,000 years in a great ocean, deeply engaged in meditation upon Vishnu, and obtained from Him the boon of becoming the progenitors of mankind. Prachetasa married Manisha, the daughter of Kanclu, and their son was Daksha.

9. Bhrigu

Maharishi Bhrigu is renowned as the first compiler of predictive astrology and the author of the Bhrigu Samhita, a classic text on astrology (Jyotish). Bhrigu, along with Manu, made important contributions to the “Manusmriti,” which was constituted from a sermon to a congregation of saints in the state of Brahmavarta after a great flood approximately 10,000 years ago. Bhrigu was married to Khyati, the daughter of Daksha. They had two sons named Dhata and Vidhata. His daughter, Sri or Bhargavi, married Vishnu.

10. Narada Muni

Narada Muni is a Vedic sage who plays a prominent role in various Hindu texts, including the Valmiki Ramayana and the Bhagavata Purana. Known for his travels to distant worlds and realms, Narada is regarded as ancient India’s most traveled sage. He is often depicted carrying a Veena, known as Mahathi, and is considered a master of this ancient musical instrument. Narada is described as both wise and mischievous, and his stories add humor to Vedic literature. Devotees of Vishnu depict him as a pure, elevated soul who glorifies Vishnu through his devotional songs, singing the names Hari and Narayana, thus demonstrating bhakti yoga.

These ten Prajapatis or mind-sons of Lord Brahma played significant roles in the creation and preservation of the universe according to Hindu mythology. Their stories and teachings continue to inspire and guide people in their spiritual journeys.