 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Manu" Hinduism – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(December 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Manu (Sanskrit:मनु) is a term found with various meanings inHinduism. In early texts, it refers to the archetypal man, or the first man (progenitor of humanity). The Sanskrit term for 'human', मनुष्य (IAST: manuṣya) or मानव (IAST: mānava) means 'of Manu' or 'children of Manu'.[1] In later texts, Manu is the title or name of fourteen rulers of earth, or alternatively as the head of dynasties that begin with each cyclickalpa (aeon) when the universe is born anew.[1] The title of the textManusmriti uses this term as a prefix, but refers to the first Manu – Svayambhuva, the spiritual son ofBrahma.[2][3] In theHindu cosmology, eachkalpa consists of fourteenManvantaras, and each Manvantara is headed by a different Manu.[1] The current universe, is asserted to be ruled by the 7th Manu namedVaivasvata.[2] Vaivasvata was the king ofDravida before thegreat flood.[4] He was warned of the flood by theMatsya (fish)avatar ofVishnu, and built a boat that carried the Vedas, Manu's family and theseven sages to safety, helped by Matsya. The tale is repeated with variations in other texts, including theMahabharata and a few otherPuranas.[5]
There are fourteen Manus that rule in succession during eachKalpa (day ofBrahma). The currentKalpa has the following Manus:
| Manvantara | Bhagavata Purana[6] | Brahma Purana[7] | Linga Purana[8] | Skanda Purana 1[9] | Skanda Purana 2[10] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swayambhuva | ||||
| 2 | Svarocisha | ||||
| 3 | Uttama | ||||
| 4 | Tapasa (Tamasa) | ||||
| 5 | Raivata | ||||
| 6 | Chakshusha | ||||
| 7 | Vaivasvata (Sraddhadeva or Satyavrata) | ||||
| 8 | Savarni | ||||
| 9 | Daksha-savarni | Raibhya | Dharma | Brahma-savarni | Bhautya |
| 10 | Brahma-savarni | Raucya | Savarnika | Rudra-savarni | Raucya |
| 11 | Dharma-savarni | Thefour Merusavarnis | Pisanga | Daksa-savarni | Brahma-savarni |
| 12 | Rudra-savarni | Apisangabha | Dharma-savarni | Rudra-savarni | |
| 13 | Deva-savarni | Sabala | Raucya | Meru-savarni | |
| 14 | Indra-savarni | Varnaka | Bhautya | Daksha-savarni | |
Thefirst Manu was the mind-born son of the godBrahma, and the husband ofShatarupa. He had three daughters, namely Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. Devahuti was given in marriage toKardama and she gave birth to nine daughters and a single son namedKapila. Prasuti gave birth to several daughters, includingSati,Khyati,Diti,Aditi,Kadru,Rohini amongst many, and Akuti gave birth to one son namedYajna and one daughter. Both Kapila and Yajna, who were sons of Devahuti and Akuti respectively, were incarnations of Vishnu.
Svayambhuva Manu, along with his wife, Satarupa, went into the forest to practice austerities on the bank of the River Sunanda. At some point in time, the Rakshasas attacked them, but Yajna, accompanied by his sons, the demigods, swiftly killed them. Yajna then personally took the post ofIndra, the king of the heavenly planets.
Svayambhuva Manu's abode isBrahmavarta, with the town of Barhismati as the capital. Barhismati was formed when Vishnu in his cosmic boar form (Varaha) shook his body, causing large strands of hair to fall off of him and turn into the town. The smaller strands that fell off of him becamekuśa andkāsa grass.[11]
In thismanvantara, theSaptarshis wereMarichi,Atri,Angiras,Pulaha,Kratu,Pulastya, andVashishtha,[12] and Vishnu's avatar wasYajna.
The Saptarshis were Urjastambha, Agni, Prana, Danti, Rishabha, Nischara, and Charvarivan.In Svarocisha-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar wasVibhu.
Thesecond Manu, whose name was Svarocisha, was the son of Agni, and His sons were headed by Dyumat, Sushena and Rochishmat. He invented clothing and made it for mankind. At his deathbed, Devala Rishi was born from Shiva's third eye to succeed Svarochisa Manu in making clothes for mankind. and In the age of this Manu, Rochana became Indra, the ruler of the heavenly planets, and there were many demigods, headed by Tushita. There were also many saintly persons, such as Urjastambha. Among them was Vedasira, whose wife, Tushita, gave birth to Vibhu. Vibhu was the incarnation of Vishnu for thisManvantara. He remained a Brahmachari all his life and never married. He instructed eighty-eight thousand dridha-vratas, or saintly persons, on sense-control and austerity.
The Saptarshis for this Manvantara were Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Sankha, Pravahita, Mita, and Sammita.In Uttama-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar wasSatyasena.
Uttama, the son of Priyavrata, was thethird Manu. Among his sons were Pavana, Srinjaya and Yajnahotra. During the reign of this Manu, the sons of Vashista, headed by Pramada, became the seven saintly persons. The Satyas, Devasrutas and Bhadras became the demigods, and Satyajit became Indra. From the womb of Sunrita, the wife of Dharma, the Supreme Lord Narayana appeared as Satyasena, and killed all the evilRakshasas who created havoc in all the worlds, along with Satyajit, who was Indra at that time.
The saptarshis were Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka, and Pivara.In Tapasa-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar wasHari.
Tapasa (also calledTamasa), the brother of the third Manu, was thefourth Manu, and he had ten sons, including Prithu, Khyati, Nara and Ketu. During his reign, the Satyakas, Haris, Viras and others were demigods, the seven great saints were headed by Jyotirdhama, and Trisikha became Indra. Harimedha begot a son named Hari, who was the incarnation of Vishnu for this Manvantara, by his wife Harini. Hari was born to liberate the devoteeGajendra.
The saptarshis were Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni.In Raivata-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar wasVaikuntha, not to be confused withVishnu's divine realm, of the same name.
Vaikuntha came as Raivata Manu, the twin brother of Tamasa. His sons were headed by Arjuna, Bali and Vindhya. Among the demigods were the Bhutarayas, and among the seven brahmanas who occupied the seven planets were Hiranyaroma, Vedasira and Urdhvabahu.
The saptarshis were Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu.In Chakshusha-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar was Ajita.
Ajita came as Chakshusa Manu, the son of the demigod Chakshu. He had many sons, headed by Puru, Purusa, and Sudyumna. During his reign, the King of heaven was known as Mantradruma. Among the demigods were the Apyas, and among the great sages were Havisman and Viraka.
Chakshusha had a daughter named Jyothismati, who wished for the most powerful being as her husband. When they askedIndra, the king of the gods, he replied that his own storms could be pushed away byVayu. Vayu said that his winds could not push away the earth, and thus Bhumavat, the male personification of the earth, was stronger. Bhumavat said thatAdishesha, who holds bothVishnu and the earth, is the strongest. Adishesh told Manu and Jyothishmati that his second avatar on earth would be stronger than himself, and thus Jyothishmati was reborn asRevati to marry that avatar,Krishna's brotherBalarama.
TheSeventh ManuThe saptarshis areMarichi,Atri,Angiras,Pulaha,Kratu,Pulastya, andVashishtha, and other likeJamadagni,Kashyapa,Gautama,Vishvamitra,Bharadvaja.[citation needed] During Vaivasvata-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar wasMatsya.
Theseventh Manu, who is the son ofVivasvan, is known as Sraddhadeva (or satyavrata) or Vaivasvata (son of Vivasvan). He has ten sons, namedIkshvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrsta, Saryati, Narisyanta, Dista (Nabhanedista), Tarusa (Karusha), Prsadhra, Vasuman (Pramshu) andIla (Sudyumna). In this manvantara, or reign of Manu, among the demigods are the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Visvedevas, Maruts, Asvini-kumaras and Rbhus. The king of heaven, Indra, is known asPurandara, and the seven sages are known as Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Atri, Vashista, Gautama, Agastya and Bharadwaja.
The saptarshis will be Diptimat, Galava,Parasurama,Kripa, Drauni orAshwatthama,Vyasa, andRishyasringa.[13] In Savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beSarvabhauma.
In the period of theeighth Manu, the Manu isSurya Savarnika Manu. He is the son of Surya by his second wife,Chhaya. He is thus the half-brother to Shraddhadeva Manu. His sons are headed by Nirmoka, and among the demigods are the Sutapas.Bali, the son ofVirochana, isIndra, and Galava and Parasurama are among the seven sages. In the age of this Manu, Vishnu's avatar will beSarvabhauma, the son of Devaguhya.
The saptarshis will be Savana, Dyutimat, Bhavya, Vasu, Medhatithi, Jyotishmán, and Satya.In Daksha-savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beRishabha.
Theninth Manu is Daksha-savarni. He is the son ofVaruna. His sons are headed by Bhutaketu, and among the demigods are the Maricigarbhas. Adbhuta is Indra, and among the seven sages is Dyutiman. Rishabha would be born of Ayushman and Ambudhara.
The saptarshis will be Havishmán, Sukriti, Satya, Apámmúrtti, Nábhága, Apratimaujas, and Satyaket.In Brahma-savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beVishvaksena.
In the period of thetenth Manu, the Manu is Brahma-savarni. He is the son of Upsaloka, who is himself the son ofKartikeya. Among his sons is Bhurishena, and the seven sages are Havishman and others. Among the demigods are the Suvasanas, and Sambhu is Indra. Vishvaksena would be a friend of Sambhu and will be born from the womb of Vishuci in the house of a brahmana named Visvasrashta.
The saptarshis will be Niśchara, Agnitejas, Vapushmán, Vishńu, Áruni, Havishmán, and Anagha.In Dharma-savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beDharmasetu.
In the period of theeleventh Manu, the Manu is Dharma-savarni, the son ofSatya Yuga. He has ten sons, headed by Satyadharma. Among the demigods are the Vihangamas, Indra is known as Vaidhrita, and the seven sages are Aruna and others. Dharmasetu will be born of Vaidhrita and Aryaka.
The saptarshis will be Tapaswí, Sutapas, Tapomúrtti, Taporati, Tapodhriti, Tapodyuti, and Tapodhan.In Rudra-savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beSudhama.
In the period of thetwelfth Manu, the Manu is Rudra-savarni, whose sons are headed by Devavan. The demigods are the Haritas and others, Indra is Ritadhama, and the seven sages are Tapomurti and others. Sudhama, or Svadhama, who will be born from the womb of Sunrita, wife of a Satyasaha.
According to Manava Purana, Rudra Savarni Manu is the son ofShiva andParvati.
The saptarshis will be Nirmoha, Tatwadersín, Nishprakampa, Nirutsuka, Dhritimat, Avyaya, and Sutapas.In Deva-savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beYogeshwara.
In the period of thethirteenth Manu, the Manu is Deva-savarni. Among his sons is Chitrasena, the demigods are the Sukarmas and others, Indra is Divaspati, and Nirmoka is among the sages. Yogeshwara will be born of Devahotra and Brihati.
The saptarshis will be Agnibáhu, Śuchi, Śhukra, Magadhá, Gridhra, Yukta, and Ajita.In Indra-savarnya-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar will beBrihadbhanu.
In the period of thefourteenth Manu, the Manu is Indra-savarni. Among his sons are Uru and Gambhira, the demigods are the Pavitras and others, Indra is Suci, and among the sages are Agni and Bahu. Brihadbhanu will be born of Satrayana from the womb of Vitana.
Almost all literature refers to the first 9 Manus with the same names but there is a lot of disagreement on names after that, although all of them agree with a total of 14.[14]
The texts ascribed to theSvayambhuva Manu includeManava Grihyasutra,Manava Sulbasutra andManava Dharmashasta (Manusmṛti or "rules of Manu").[15]
Jain theology mentions the 14th patriarch namedNabhiraja, mentioning him also as Manu.[16] This, state scholars, links Jain tradition to Hindu legends, because the 14 patriarchs in Jain tradition are similar to the 14 Manus in Hindu legends.[16] The Manu ofJainism is the father of 1stTirthankaraRishabhanatha (Adinatha).[16] This ancient story is significant as it includes one of earliest mentions ofikshu (sugarcane) processing.[16]
The first Manu wasSwáyambhuva, then cameSwárochisha, thenAuttami, thenTámasa, thenRaivata, thenChákshusha: these six Manus have passed away. The Manu who presides over the seventh Manwantara, which is the present period, isVaivaswata, the son of the sun ...
These seven very glorious Manus, the first among whom is Svayambhuva, produced and protected this whole movable and immovable (creation), each during the period (allotted to him).: Archived version digitised by Tormod Kinnes, from Delhi: Banarsidass 1984 reprint.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
