THE LIVING ARCHIVE
About Priyavrata
He is a son of Svayambhuva Manu and the brother of Uttanapada. Manu wants him to govern, but Priyavrata fears that palace life and worldly responsibilities will draw him away from devotion. Brahma, the creator deity, intervenes to explain why accepting responsibility need not mean abandoning his spiritual purpose.
The family lists differ. One names his wife Kamya, daughter of Kardama; another names Barhishmati, daughter of Vishvakarma. Both describe ten principal sons, of whom seven become rulers and three choose religious life. These are parallel accounts, not a single family list that can be combined without qualification.
