Prachetas is a name occurring in numerous Hindu scriptures. Prachetasa
is a name given to several individuals in Hinduism.
Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, called himself a Prachetasa
(Valmiki Ramayana, Uttara Kanda. 93.16-18; 94.25). Under this name he
performed penance for a very long period at the Aghamarshana Tirtha (Bhagavad
Purana 6.4.21)
As per Vayu Purana (65.53-54) and Mahabharata Sabha Parva
(11.14), one Prachetas is one of the prajapatis (progenitors of human race in
Hindu religion). They are the mind born son or manasaputras of Brahma.
The ten sons of Prachinabarhisa and Savarna, the daughter of
Samudra, were also known by the collective name of Prachetas. The ten sons were
expert archers and they performed intense penance for 10,000 years. They had
hundreds son who were known as Prachetas.
These one hundred sons went to the
north and became kings of the Mlecchas.
Their son by Marisa was Daksha, who was also known as
Prachetasa or Daksha Prajapati after whom the propagation of the human race
through cohabitation is said to have commenced. This is mentioned in the Vishnu
Purana (1.15.1-9) and Harivamsa (1.2.46)
An author of Smriti is also known by the name and he has
been quoted in works on Dharmashastra like Mitakshara, Aparaka and
Smriti Chandrika.
Prachetasa Agirasa has been mentioned as the seer of
Rig Vedic hymn named Duhsvapnanasana (10.164).
The Vedic God Varuna is also called Prachetas in Bhagavata Purana
(7.12.28) and Mahabharata Sabha Parva (7.14).