THE BITTER TRUTH: Manu (Hinduism)

Manu

Manu (Sanskrit: मन)ु is a term found with various meanings in Hinduism. In early texts, it refers to
the archetypal man, or to the first man (progenitor of humanity). The Sanskrit term for 'human',
मानव (IAST: mānava) means 'of Manu' or 'children of Manu'.[1]

In later texts, Manu is the title or name of fourteen mystical Kshatriyarulers of earth, or alternatively
as the head of mythical dynasties that begin with each cyclic kalpa (aeon) when the universe is
born anew. The title of the text Manusmriti uses this term as a prefix, but refers to the first Manu
– Svayambhuva, the spiritual son of Brahma.

In some Puranic mythology, each kalpa consists of fourteen Manvantaras, and each Manvantara
is headed by a different Manu. The current universe, in this mythology, is asserted to be ruled by
the 7th Manu named Vaivasvata. In Vishnu Purana, Vaivasvata, also known as Sraddhadeva or
Satyavrata, was the king of Dravida before the great flood. He was warned of the flood by the
Matsya (fish) avatar of Vishnu, and built a boat that carried the Vedas, Manu's family and the seven
sages to safety, helped by Matsya. The myth is repeated with variations in other texts, including
the Mahabharata and a few other Puranas. It is similar to other flood myths such as that of
Gilgamesh and Noah.

Manus of the current kalpa

The 14 Manus of the current aeon are:[5]

First Manvantara – the interval of Swayambhu Manu

Saptarshis (स त ष) list: Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha.[6][7]

In Svayambhuva-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar was called Yajna.

The first Manu was Svayambhuva Manu. His three daughters, namely Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti.
Devahuti gave birth to one son name kapila and 9 daughters while Prasuti have given birth Yajna
and Akuti has given birth to one son and one daughter. 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, Rakshasas attacked them, but Yajna, accompanied by his sons the Yamas and the
demigods, killed them. Then Yajna personally took the post of Indra, the King of the heavenly
planets.

Second Manvantara – the interval of Swarochisha Manu

The second Manu, whose name was Svarocisha, was the son of Agni, and His sons were headed
by Dyumat, Sushena and Rochishmat. 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 instructed eighty-eight thousand dridha-vratas, or saintly persons, on self-control
and austerity.

Third Manvantara – the interval of Uttama Manu

Saptarshis list: Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Śankha, Praváhita, Mita, and Sammita. In Uttama-
manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar was called Satyasena.

Uttama, the son of Priyavrata, was the third 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 Sushanti
became Indra. From the womb of Sunrita, the wife of Dharma, the Lord appeared as Satyasena,
and He killed all the Yakshas and Rakshasas who were fighting with Satyajit.

Fourth Manvantara – the interval of Tapasa/Tamasa Manu

Saptarshis list: Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka, and Pivara. In Tapasa-
manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar was called Hari.

He is named Tapasa because he was born during Tapassu (deep meditation)

Tapasa/Tamasa, the brother of the third Manu, was the fourth 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 by his wife Harini. Hari saved the devotee Gajendra.

Fifth Manvantara – the interval of Raivata Manu

Saptarshis list: Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and

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.

Sixth Manvantara – the interval of Chakshusha Manu

Saptarshis list: Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu. In
Chakshusha-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar was called Ajita.
Ajita came as Chakshsusa Manu, the son of the demigod Chakshu. He had many sons, headed by
Puru, Purusa and Sudyumna. During the reign of Chakshusa Manu, the King of heaven was known
as Mantradruma. Among the demigods were the Apyas, and among the great sages were
Havisman and Viraka.

The current, Seventh Manvantara – the interval of Vaivasvata Manu

Saptarshis list: Kashyapa, Atri, Vashista, Angira, Gautama, Agastya, Bharadvaja. During Vaivasvata-
manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar is called Vamana

The seventh Manu, who is the son of Vivasvan, is known as Sraddhadeva(or satyavrata ) or
Vaivasvat(son of Vivasvan). He has ten sons, named Ikshvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrsta, Saryati,
Narisyanta, Dista, Tarusa, Prsadhra and Vasuman. 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 as Purandara, and the seven sages are known as Kashyapa, Atri,
Vashista, Angira, Gautama, Agastya and Bharadwaja. During this period of Manu, Lord Vishnu took
birth from the womb of Aditi, the wife of Kashyapa.

Eighth Manvantara – Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Diptimat, Galava, Parasurama, Kripa, Drauni or Ashwatthama, Vyasa, and
Rishyasringa. In Savarnya-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Sarvabhauma.

In the period of the eighth Manu, the Manu is Surya Savarnika Manu. His sons are headed by
Nirmoka, and among the demigods are the Sutapas. Bali, the son of Virochana, is Indra, and Galava
and Parasurama are among the seven sages. In the age of this Manu, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be
called Sarvabhauma, the son of Devaguhya and Sarasvati.

Ninth – Daksa Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Savana, Dyutimat, Bhavya, Vasu, Medhatithi, Jyotishmán, and Satya. In Daksha-
savarnya-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Rishabha.

The ninth Manu is Daksha-savarni. 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.

Tenth – Brahma Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Havishmán, Sukriti, Satya, Apámmúrtti, Nábhága, Apratimaujas, and Satyaket. In
Brahma-savarnya-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Vishvaksena.

In the period of the tenth Manu, the Manu is Brahma-savarni. 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.

Eleventh – Dharma Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Niśchara, Agnitejas, Vapushmán, Vishńu, Áruni, Havishmán, and Anagha. In
Dharma-savarnya-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Dharmasetu.

In the period of the eleventh Manu, the Manu is Dharma-savarni, who 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.

Twelfth – Rudra Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Tapaswí, Sutapas, Tapomúrtti, Taporati, Tapodhriti, Tapodyuti, and Tapodhan. In
Rudra-savarnya-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Sudhama.

In the period of the twelfth 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.

Thirteenth – Raucya or Deva Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Nirmoha, Tatwadersín, Nishprakampa, Nirutsuka, Dhritimat, Avyaya, and Sutapas.
In Deva-savarnya-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Yogeshwara.

In the period of the thirteenth 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.

Fourteenth – Indra Savarni Manu

Saptarshis list: Agnibáhu, Śuchi, Śhukra, Magadhá, Gridhra, Yukta, and Ajita. In Indra-savarnya-
manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar will be called Brihadbhanu.

In the period of the fourteenth 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. Brihadbhanuwill 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.

Works ascribed to the Manus

The texts ascribed to the Svayambhuva Manu include Manava Grihyasutra, Manava Sulbasutra

and Manava Dharmashastra

BY : vipul Koul