Prithu's Sacred Marriage and Coronation
With Prithu now established as the legitimate king and committed to the restoration of dharma, the sages and the celestial beings arranged for an elaborate coronation ceremony that would formally recognize Prithu's sovereignty and invoke the blessings of the Supreme Lord and all the demigods upon his reign. The coronation was conducted with all the sacred rituals prescribed in the Vedas, performed by the most learned brahmanas who understood the profound spiritual significance of establishing righteous leadership. Priests chanted mantras to invoke divine protection and blessings, offerings were made to the Supreme Lord and the various celestial beings, and the entire cosmic realm observed as Prithu was formally crowned as the supreme ruler of the earth.
Following his coronation, it became necessary for Prithu to take a wife who could assist him in his royal duties and who could share in his commitment to dharma and spiritual advancement. The sages recognized that Prithu needed a queen who possessed not merely beauty and charm but genuine wisdom, spiritual consciousness, and dedication to the welfare of all beings. Through divine guidance, a search was conducted to find the most suitable match for the great king. After careful consideration, the sages identified the princess Arci as the ideal choice for Prithu's consort. Arci was renowned throughout the kingdoms for her beauty, but more importantly, she was known for her virtue, her scholarly learning, and her sincere devotion to the Supreme Lord.
When Prithu learned about Arci and her extraordinary qualities, he was pleased with the choice recommended by the sages. Arci, when she learned about Prithu's reputation as a righteous and spiritually advanced king, accepted the proposal with enthusiasm and joy. The marriage ceremony that followed was one of the most magnificent cosmic events, attended by the sages, the demigods, celestial beings, and cosmic administrators. The couple exchanged sacred vows promising to support each other in the pursuit of dharma and spiritual realization, and to dedicate their joint rule to the welfare and spiritual advancement of all beings in the kingdom.
With his wife Arci at his side, Prithu's authority and his capacity to govern effectively were greatly enhanced. Arci proved to be an exceptional queen, assisting in the administration of the kingdom, participating in the performance of sacred rituals, and serving as a spiritual inspiration to all in the palace and throughout the kingdom. The relationship between Prithu and Arci exemplified the highest ideals of spiritual partnership and marriage. Rather than being based on material attraction or selfish desire for pleasure, their relationship was founded on shared spiritual values and mutual commitment to creating a kingdom where dharma could flourish and all beings could advance toward God realization.
With the marriage now solemnized and his throne firmly established, Prithu set about the comprehensive task of transforming the kingdom into a model of righteous governance. He established clear laws based on Vedic principles, appointed capable and ethical administrators to various positions, organized the defense of the kingdom, promoted trade and commerce based on honest principles, and created an educational system that would teach all classes of people about their duties according to dharma. Most importantly, he worked to restore the spiritual culture that had been damaged during Vena's reign, reestablishing temples, encouraging the study of the Vedas, and creating opportunities for all people to engage in devotional service to the Supreme Lord.
This chapter demonstrates that righteous governance requires not only a ruler who is committed to dharma but also support from a capable and spiritually conscious partner who can share in the responsibilities and challenges of leadership. Prithu and Arci together created a government that was not merely efficient in maintaining order and providing for material welfare but was fundamentally dedicated to the spiritual advancement of all beings. Their marriage and coronation marked the beginning of a new era of peace, prosperity, and spiritual awakening that would characterize Prithu's legendary reign.