Pravara

Pravara is a virtuous scholar from the village of Aruṇāspada who traveled to the Himālaya mountains using a magical herbs applied to his feet. Although the apsaras Varūthinī tried to persuade him to stay, Pravara remained firm in his dharma and returned home through the power of his saccarita and a prayer to Gārhapatya Agni. Later, the gandharva Kali tricked Varūthinī by taking the form of Pravara, which led to the birth of the radiant Svaroci who gave birth to the Svārociṣa Manu.

The Virtuous Scholar of Arunaspada

Pravara was a peaceful brahmana who lived in a beautiful village called Arunaspada on the banks of the Varuna river. He was a very handsome man, even more handsome than the twin deities known as the Asvini-kumaras, and he spent his time studying the Veda and Vedanga. Pravara was known for his spotless character and kindness, especially toward guests who visited his home. He always welcomed visitors with a smiling face and made sure that anyone traveling at night had a safe place to stay. Although he was happy with his life, he had a secret wish to travel and see the many wonderful forests, cities, and holy places that existed across the earth.

The Gift of Fast Travel

One day, a special guest who was an expert in mantra and herbs arrived at his house. This guest told Pravara stories about many amazing countries, rivers, and mountains. When Pravara asked how the guest could travel so much without looking tired or old, the guest revealed that he used a special magic. To help Pravara see the world, the guest applied a magical herb to the bottom of Pravara’s feet. This herbal paste gave Pravara the power to travel thousands of yojanas in just a few hours. Excited by this new gift, Pravara quickly traveled to the tall and snowy Himalaya mountains to explore.

Stranded in the Great Mountains

While Pravara was walking through the snowy peaks and looking at the beautiful flowers and birds, a problem occurred. The cold snow and water on the mountain caused the magical herb to melt off his feet. Suddenly, he lost his super speed and was stuck far away from his home. Pravara became very worried, not because he was afraid of the mountains, but because he was worried about his dharma. He was a very disciplined man who never missed his daily fire rituals, known as nitya kriya and agni susrusa. He feared that if he stayed in the mountains, his duties to the sacred fires would be neglected.

A Test of Character

While Pravara was trying to find a way home, an apsaras named Varūthinī saw him. She was amazed by his beauty and instantly felt a strong kama for him. She approached him and begged him to stay with her in the mountains forever. She promised him divine clothes, tasty food, and a life where he would never grow old. However, Pravara was a man of great character and was not interested in these comforts. He told her that he only cared about his duty to his home and his sacred fires, the Garhapatya, Ahavaniya, and Daksina Agni. Even when she tried to hug him and convince him to stay, he remained firm in his dharma and asked her to leave him alone.

The Power of Truth and Fire

Pravara decided to rely on the power of his own honesty and goodness. He prayed to Bhagavan Garhapatya Agni. He declared that if he had truly lived a life where he never wanted someone else’s property or wife, then the fire should help him. Because he was a man of great character who always followed the Dharma, the fire deity Agni entered his body and turned him into a bright light. In a single moment, Pravara was transported back to his house in Aruṇāspada. He was finally home and was able to continue his sacred rituals exactly as he had always done.