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{{Short description|Current Manu of Hinduism}}
{{about|the current Manu|the concept of Manu in Hindu mythology|Manu (Hinduism)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{Short description|Current Manu of Hinduism}}
{{about|Surya's son and current Manu|overall concept of Manu|Manu (Hinduism)}}
{{Infobox deity
{{Infobox deity
| image = The fish avatara of Vishnu saves Manu during the great deluge.jpg
| image = Manu and Saptarishi.jpg
| type = hindu
| type = Hindu
| alt = Manu
| alt = Manu
| caption = Matsya helping Vaivasvata Manu and the [[Saptarishi|seven sages]] escape from  the time of Deluge
| caption = Matsya helps Vaivasvata Manu and the [[Saptarishi|Seven Sages]] escape from  the divine deluge
| spouse = Shraddha
| spouse = Shraddha
| father = [[Surya|Vivasvana]]
| father = [[Surya|Vivasvan]]
| mother = [[Saranyu]]
| mother = [[Saranyu]]
| children = [[Ikshvaku]], Dhrishta, [[Narishyanta]], Dishta, Nriga, Karusha, Saryati, Nabhaga, Pranshu, Prisadhra and [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]]
| children = [[Ikshvaku]], Dhrishta, Narishyanta, Dishta, Nriga, Karusha, Saryati, Nabhaga, Pranshu, Prisadhra<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/vaivasvata-manu | title=Vaivasvata Manu: 3 definitions | date=29 June 2012 }}</ref><br>[[Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241624.html | title=Story of Ilā | date=28 January 2019 }}</ref>
| predecessor = Chaksusa Manu
| predecessor = [[Chakshusha Manu]]
| successor = [[Savarni Manu]]
| successor = [[Savarni Manu]]
}}
}}
In [[Hindu mythology]], '''Vaivasvata Manu''', also referred to as '''Shraddhadeva''' and '''Satyavrata''', is the current [[Manu (Hinduism)|manu]]—the progenitor of humans. He is the seventh of the 14 manus of the current [[kalpa (aeon)]] of [[Hindu cosmology]].


Forewarned about the flood by the [[matsya]] [[avatara]] of [[Vishnu]], he saved mankind by building a boat that carried his family and the [[saptarishi]] to safety. He is the son of [[Vivasvan|Vivasvana]].<ref>[http://www.harekrsna.com/philosophy/incarnations/manus/manvantara.htm The Hare Krsnas – The Manus – Manus of the Present Universe]</ref>
'''Vaivasvata Manu''' ({{Langx|sa|वैवस्वत मनु}}), also referred to as '''Shraddhadeva''' and '''Satyavrata''', is the current [[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]]—the progenitor of the human race. He is the seventh of the 14 Manus of the current [[kalpa (aeon)]] of [[Hindu cosmology]]. In the [[Jainism|Jain religion]] he is also known as [[Nabhi|Nabhiraja]], the father of [[Rishabhanatha]] and the last [[Kulakara]].
 
He is the son of [[Vivasvan]] (also known as Surya), the Sun god, and his wife [[Saranyu]].  Forewarned about the divine flood by the [[Matsya]] [[avatara]] of [[Vishnu]], Manu saved mankind by building a boat that carried his family and the [[Saptarishi]] (the Seven Sages) to safety.<ref>[http://www.harekrsna.com/philosophy/incarnations/manus/manvantara.htm The Hare Krsnas – The Manus – Manus of the Present Universe]</ref> He was one of the wielders of [[Asi (Mahabharata)|Asi]] the primordial sword.


== Ancestry ==
== Ancestry ==
According to the Puranas, the genealogy of Shraddhadeva is as follows:<ref>{{cite book|author=Francis Hamilton|title=Geneaolgies of the Hindus: extracted from their sacred writings; with an introduction and alphabetical index|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-igwAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA89|year=1819|work=Printed for the author|page=89 }}</ref>
According to the Puranas, the genealogy of Shraddhadeva is as follows:<ref>{{cite book|author=Francis Hamilton|title=Genealogies of the Hindus: extracted from their sacred writings; with an introduction and alphabetical index|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-igwAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA89|year=1819|publisher=Printed for the author|page=89 }}</ref>


# [[Brahma]]
# [[Brahma]].
# [[Marichi]], one of the 10 [[Prajapati]]s created by Brahma.
# [[Marichi]], one of the 10 [[Prajapati]]s created by Brahma.
# [[Kashyapa]], son of Marichi and his thirteen wives, among which Aditi, Diti, and Kala are prominent. Kashyapa is regarded as one of the progenitors of humanity.
# [[Kashyapa]], son of Marichi and his thirteen wives, among which Kala is prominent. Kashyapa is regarded as one of the progenitors of humanity.
# [[Vivasvan]] or [[Surya]], son of [[Kashyapa]] and [[Aditi]].
# [[Vivasvat]] or [[Surya]], son of [[Kashyapa]] and [[Aditi]].
# [[Vaivasvata]] Manu, because he is the son of Vivasvan and [[Saranyu]] (Saṃjñā). He is also known as Satyavrata and Shraddhadeva.
# [[Vaivasvata]] Manu, the son of Vivasvat and [[Saranyu]] (Saṃjñā). He is also known as Satyavrata and Shraddhadeva.


==The Great Deluge==
==Legend==
Shraddhadeva was the king of the [[Dravida Kingdom]] during the epoch of the ''[[Matsya Purana]]''.<ref name="Daniélou2003">{{cite book |author=Alain Daniélou |title=A Brief History of India |url=https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofin00dani |url-access=registration |date=11 February 2003 |publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co |isbn=978-1-59477-794-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofin00dani/page/19 19] }}</ref> According to the ''Matsya Purana'', [[Matsya]], the [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]], first appeared as a ''shaphari'' (a small [[carp]]) to Shraddhadeva while he washed his hands in a river flowing down the [[Malaya Mountains]].<ref name="David2014">{{cite book |author=David Dean Shulman |title=Tamil Temple Myths: Sacrifice and Divine Marriage in the South Indian Saiva Tradition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d97_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA55 |year=1980 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-5692-3}}</ref>
Shraddhadeva is stated to be the king of the [[Dravida kingdom]] during the epoch of the ''[[Matsya Purana]]''.<ref name="Daniélou2003">{{cite book |author=Alain Daniélou |title=A Brief History of India |url=https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofin00dani |url-access=registration |date=11 February 2003 |publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co |isbn=978-1-59477-794-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofin00dani/page/19 19] }}</ref> According to the ''Matsya Purana'', [[Matsya]], the [[avatar|avatara]] of [[Vishnu]], first appeared as a ''shaphari'' (a small [[carp]]) to Shraddhadeva while he washed his hands in a river flowing down the [[Malaya Mountains]].<ref name="David2014">{{cite book |author=David Dean Shulman |title=Tamil Temple Myths: Sacrifice and Divine Marriage in the South Indian Saiva Tradition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d97_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA55 |year=1980 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-1-4008-5692-3}}</ref>


The little fish asked the king to save him, and out of compassion, he put it in a water jar. It kept growing bigger and bigger, until the king first put it in a bigger pitcher, and then deposited it in a well. When the well also proved insufficient for the ever-growing fish, the King placed it in a tank (reservoir), that was two yojanas (16 miles) in height above the surface and on land, as much in length, and a yojana (8 miles) in breadth.<ref>DRISCOLL, Ian Driscoll; KURTZ, Matthew [https://books.google.com/books?id=M8cJgVGd6PIC&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139#v=onepage&q&f=false ''Atlantis: Egyptian Genesis''], 2009.</ref><ref>Sacred Texts. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03186.htm Section CLXXXVI]</ref> As it grew further, the king had to put the fish in a river, and when even the river proved insufficient, he placed it in the ocean, after which it nearly filled the vast expanse of the great ocean.
The little fish asked the king to save him, and out of compassion, he put it in a water jar. It kept growing bigger and bigger, until the king first put it in a bigger pitcher, and then deposited it in a well. When the well also proved insufficient for the ever-growing fish, the king placed it in a tank (reservoir), that was two yojanas (16 miles) in height above the surface and on land, as much in length, and a yojana (8 miles) in breadth.<ref>DRISCOLL, Ian Driscoll; KURTZ, Matthew [https://books.google.com/books?id=M8cJgVGd6PIC&pg=PA139 ''Atlantis: Egyptian Genesis''], 2009.</ref><ref>Sacred Texts. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03186.htm Section CLXXXVI]</ref> As it grew further, the king had to put the fish in a river, and when even the river proved insufficient, he placed it in the ocean, after which it nearly filled the vast expanse of the great ocean.


It was then that Vishnu, revealing himself, informed the king of an all-destructive deluge which would be coming very soon.<ref name="Bhagavata Purana 8.24.12">''S'rîmad Bhâgavatam'' (''Bhâgavata Purâ''na)[http://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto8/chapter24.html Canto 8 Chapter 24 Text 12]</ref><ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IQwXAAAAYAAJ&dq=Malaya+Manu+Matsya&pg=PA341|title=The story of Vedic India as embodied ... – Google Books|date=2008-03-14|access-date=2010-12-08|last1=Ragozin|first1=Zénaïde Alexeïevna}}</ref><ref>[[Matsya Purana]], Ch.I, 10–33</ref> The king built a huge boat which housed his family, saptarishi, nine types of seeds, and animals to repopulate the earth, after the deluge would end and the oceans and seas would recede. At the time of deluge, Vishnu appeared as a horned fish and [[Shesha]] appeared as a rope, with which the king fastened the boat to the horn of the fish.<ref>Matsya Purana, Ch.II, 1–19</ref>
It was then that Vishnu, revealing himself, informed the king of an all-destructive deluge which would be coming very soon.<ref name="Bhagavata Purana 8.24.12">''S'rîmad Bhâgavatam'' (''Bhâgavata Purâ''na)[https://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto8/chapter24.html Canto 8 Chapter 24 Text 12]</ref><ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IQwXAAAAYAAJ&dq=Malaya+Manu+Matsya&pg=PA341|title=The story of Vedic India as embodied ... – Google Books|date=2008-03-14|access-date=2010-12-08|last1=Ragozin|first1=Zénaïde Alexeïevna}}</ref><ref>[[Matsya Purana]], Ch.I, 10–33</ref> The king built a huge boat which housed his family, the [[Saptarshi|Seven Sages]], nine types of seeds, and animals to repopulate the earth, after the deluge would end and the oceans and seas would recede. At the time of deluge, Vishnu appeared as a horned fish and [[Shesha]] appeared as a rope, with which the king fastened the boat to the horn of the fish.<ref>Matsya Purana, Ch.II, 1–19</ref>


The boat was perched after the deluge on the top of the highest peak of Himavat called Naubandhana.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45040117|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|date=2000|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|others=Kisari Mohan Ganguli|isbn=81-215-0594-1|location=New Delhi|oclc=45040117}}</ref><ref name="MATSYA">[http://www.vedicyagyacenter.com/vedic-scriptures-files/epic-pdf/MATSYA%20PURANA.pdf ''The Matsya Purana''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326133426/http://www.vedicyagyacenter.com/vedic-scriptures-files/epic-pdf/MATSYA%20PURANA.pdf |date=26 March 2014 }}</ref> After the deluge, Manu's family and the seven sages repopulated the earth. According to Purana, Manu's story occur before 28 chaturyuga in the present Manvantara which is the 7th Manvantara. This amounts to 120 million years ago.<ref>{{cite web |title=G. P. Bhatt (ed.), The vayu purana, part-II, 1st ed., 784—789, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.38 of Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1988.|url=https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=J. L. Shastri (ed.), The kurma-purana, part-I, 1st ed., 47—52, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.20 of A.I.T.&M., Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1981.|url=https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=J. L. Shastri (ed.), The Narada purana, part-II, 1st ed., p. 699, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.16 of A.I.T.&M., Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1981.|url=https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>
The boat was perched after the deluge on the top of the highest peak of Himavat called Naubandhana.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|date=2000|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers|others=Kisari Mohan Ganguli|isbn=81-215-0594-1|location=New Delhi|oclc=45040117}}</ref><ref name="MATSYA">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140326133426/http://www.vedicyagyacenter.com/vedic-scriptures-files/epic-pdf/MATSYA%20PURANA.pdf ''The Matsya Purana'']}}</ref> After the deluge, Manu's family and the seven sages repopulated the earth. According to the Puranas, Manu's story occurs before the 28 chaturyugas in the present Manvantara which is the 7th Manvantara. This amounts to 120 million years ago.<ref>{{cite web|title=G. P. Bhatt (ed.), The vayu purana, part-II, 1st ed., 784—789, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.38 of Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1988.|url=https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121150747/https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=J. L. Shastri (ed.), The kurma-purana, part-I, 1st ed., 47—52, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.20 of A.I.T.&M., Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1981.|url=https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121150747/https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=J. L. Shastri (ed.), The Narada purana, part-II, 1st ed., p. 699, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.16 of A.I.T.&M., Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1981.|url=https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121150747/https://www.mlbd.com/BookDecription.aspx?id=1728|url-status=dead}}</ref>  A genealogical list in the ''Adi Parva'' of the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' lists 43 generations (inclusive) between Manu and the hero [[Arjuna]] (who, according to different traditions, lived somewhere between 3200 and 1000 BC).<ref>{{cite book |title=Mahabharata |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm |language=English |chapter=Adi Parva, Sambhava Parva, Section XCV}}</ref>


This narrative is similar to other [[list of flood myths|flood myths]] like the [[Gilgamesh flood myth]] and the [[Genesis flood narrative]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Klaus K. Klostermaier |title=A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_6-JbUiHB4C&pg=PA97 |date=5 July 2007 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-7082-4 |page=97 }}</ref>
This narrative is similar to other [[list of flood myths|flood myths]] like the [[Gilgamesh flood myth]] and the [[Genesis flood narrative]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Klaus K. Klostermaier |title=A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_6-JbUiHB4C&pg=PA97 |date=5 July 2007 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-7082-4 |page=97 }}</ref>
Line 42: Line 43:
Shraddhadeva married Shraddha and had ten children including [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]] and [[Ikshvaku]], the progenitors of the [[Lunar dynasty|Lunar]] and [[Suryavansha|Solar]] dynasties, respectively.{{sfn|Thapar|2013|p=308-309}}
Shraddhadeva married Shraddha and had ten children including [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]] and [[Ikshvaku]], the progenitors of the [[Lunar dynasty|Lunar]] and [[Suryavansha|Solar]] dynasties, respectively.{{sfn|Thapar|2013|p=308-309}}


The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' states:<ref>[http://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Mahabharata-VOL-1.pdf ''Mahabharata'' Book 1:Adi Parva:Sambhava Parva:Section LXXV], p. 183.</ref><ref name="Laws">[http://oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk4.html The Laws of Manu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417155321/http://oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk4.html |date=17 April 2013 }}, translated by George Bühler.</ref>
The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' states:<ref>[https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Mahabharata-VOL-1.pdf ''Mahabharata'' Book 1:Adi Parva:Sambhava Parva:Section LXXV], p. 183.</ref><ref name="Laws">[http://oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk4.html The Laws of Manu] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417155321/http://oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk4.html |date=17 April 2013 }}, translated by George Bühler.</ref>
{{quote|And Manu was endowed with great wisdom and devoted to virtue. And he became the progenitor of a line. And in Manu's race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called ''Manavas''. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Sudras, and others have been descended, and are therefore all called Manavas. Subsequently, the Brahmanas became united with the Kshatriyas. And those sons of Manu that were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study of the Vedas. And Manu begot ten other children named [[Ikshvaku]],  Dhrishta, Narishyanta, Dishta, Nriga, Karusha, Saryati, Nabhaga, Pranshu, Prisadhra and a daughter [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]]. They all betook themselves to the practices of Kshatriyas (warriors). Besides these, Manu had fifty other sons on Earth. But we heard that they all perished, quarrelling with one another.<ref>{{cite book|author=Swami Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLcv-Ow6Ux4C&pg=PA637|date=1 January 2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-226-3}}, p. 638.</ref>}}
{{blockquote|And Manu was endowed with great wisdom and devoted to virtue. And he became the progenitor of a line. And in Manu's race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called ''Manavas''. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Sudras, and others have been descended, and are therefore all called Manavas. Subsequently, the Brahmanas became united with the Kshatriyas. And those sons of Manu that were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study of the Vedas. And Manu begot ten other children named [[Ikshvaku]],  Dhrishta, Narishyanta, Dishta, Nriga, Karusha, Saryati, Nabhaga, Pranshu, Prisadhra and a daughter [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ila]]. They all betook themselves to the practices of Kshatriyas (warriors). Besides these, Manu had fifty other sons on Earth. But we heard that they all perished, quarrelling with one another.<ref>{{cite book|author=Swami Parmeshwaranand|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLcv-Ow6Ux4C&pg=PA637|date=1 January 2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|isbn=978-81-7625-226-3}}, p. 638.</ref>}}


==Theosophy==
==Theosophy==
{{Main|Manu (Theosophy)}}
In [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|Theosophy]], the "Vaivasvata Manu" is one of the most important beings at the highest level of Initiation of the ancient Vedic sages, along with [[Maitreya (Theosophy)|Maitreya]], and the Maha Chohan. According to Theosophy, each [[root race]] has its own Manu who physically [[Reincarnation|incarnates]] in an advanced body of an individual of the old root race and physically progenerates with a suitable female partner the first individuals of the new root race.
[[File:Conversation between Manu and Brihaspati.jpg|thumb|Conversation between Manu and [[Bṛhaspati]]]]
In [[Theosophy (Blavatskian)|Theosophy]], the "Vaivasvata Manu" is one of the most important beings at the highest level of [[Initiation (Theosophy)|Initiation]] of the ancient Vedic sages, along with [[Maitreya (Theosophy)|Maitreya]], and the Maha Chohan. According to Theosophy, each [[root race]] has its own Manu who physically [[Reincarnation|incarnates]] in an advanced body of an individual of the old root race and physically progenerates with a suitable female partner the first individuals of the new root race.


==References==
==References==
===Citations===
===Citations===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
Line 56: Line 56:
===Sources===
===Sources===
* {{citation |last=Thapar |first=Romila |author-link=Romila Thapar |title=The Past Before Us|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aei9AAAAQBAJ |year=2013 |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=978-0-674-72651-2 }}
* {{citation |last=Thapar |first=Romila |author-link=Romila Thapar |title=The Past Before Us|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aei9AAAAQBAJ |year=2013 |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=978-0-674-72651-2 }}
 
{{manus}}
[[Category:Characters in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Manus]]
[[Category:Kings in Indian mythology]]
[[Category:Legendary progenitors]]
[[Category:Legendary progenitors]]
[[Category:Mythological first humans]]
[[Category:Mythological swordfighters]]
[[Category:Flood myths]]
[[Category:Children of Surya]]

Latest revision as of 12:45, 14 February 2026


This article is about the current Manu. For the concept of Manu in Hindu mythology, see Manu (Hinduism).

Vaivasvata Manu
Manu
Matsya helps Vaivasvata Manu and the Seven Sages escape from the divine deluge
PredecessorChakshusha Manu
SuccessorSavarni Manu
Personal information
Parents
SpouseShraddha
ChildrenIkshvaku, Dhrishta, Narishyanta, Dishta, Nriga, Karusha, Saryati, Nabhaga, Pranshu, Prisadhra[1]
Ila[2]

Vaivasvata Manu (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), also referred to as Shraddhadeva and Satyavrata, is the current Manu—the progenitor of the human race. He is the seventh of the 14 Manus of the current kalpa (aeon) of Hindu cosmology. In the Jain religion he is also known as Nabhiraja, the father of Rishabhanatha and the last Kulakara.

He is the son of Vivasvan (also known as Surya), the Sun god, and his wife Saranyu. Forewarned about the divine flood by the Matsya avatara of Vishnu, Manu saved mankind by building a boat that carried his family and the Saptarishi (the Seven Sages) to safety.[3] He was one of the wielders of Asi the primordial sword.

Ancestry[edit | edit source]

According to the Puranas, the genealogy of Shraddhadeva is as follows:[4]

  1. Brahma.
  2. Marichi, one of the 10 Prajapatis created by Brahma.
  3. Kashyapa, son of Marichi and his thirteen wives, among which Kala is prominent. Kashyapa is regarded as one of the progenitors of humanity.
  4. Vivasvat or Surya, son of Kashyapa and Aditi.
  5. Vaivasvata Manu, the son of Vivasvat and Saranyu (Saṃjñā). He is also known as Satyavrata and Shraddhadeva.

Legend[edit | edit source]

Shraddhadeva is stated to be the king of the Dravida kingdom during the epoch of the Matsya Purana.[5] According to the Matsya Purana, Matsya, the avatara of Vishnu, first appeared as a shaphari (a small carp) to Shraddhadeva while he washed his hands in a river flowing down the Malaya Mountains.[6]

The little fish asked the king to save him, and out of compassion, he put it in a water jar. It kept growing bigger and bigger, until the king first put it in a bigger pitcher, and then deposited it in a well. When the well also proved insufficient for the ever-growing fish, the king placed it in a tank (reservoir), that was two yojanas (16 miles) in height above the surface and on land, as much in length, and a yojana (8 miles) in breadth.[7][8] As it grew further, the king had to put the fish in a river, and when even the river proved insufficient, he placed it in the ocean, after which it nearly filled the vast expanse of the great ocean.

It was then that Vishnu, revealing himself, informed the king of an all-destructive deluge which would be coming very soon.[9][10][11] The king built a huge boat which housed his family, the Seven Sages, nine types of seeds, and animals to repopulate the earth, after the deluge would end and the oceans and seas would recede. At the time of deluge, Vishnu appeared as a horned fish and Shesha appeared as a rope, with which the king fastened the boat to the horn of the fish.[12]

The boat was perched after the deluge on the top of the highest peak of Himavat called Naubandhana.[13][14] After the deluge, Manu's family and the seven sages repopulated the earth. According to the Puranas, Manu's story occurs before the 28 chaturyugas in the present Manvantara which is the 7th Manvantara. This amounts to 120 million years ago.[15][16][17] A genealogical list in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata lists 43 generations (inclusive) between Manu and the hero Arjuna (who, according to different traditions, lived somewhere between 3200 and 1000 BC).[18]

This narrative is similar to other flood myths like the Gilgamesh flood myth and the Genesis flood narrative.[19]

Descendants[edit | edit source]

Shraddhadeva married Shraddha and had ten children including Ila and Ikshvaku, the progenitors of the Lunar and Solar dynasties, respectively.[20]

The Mahabharata states:[21][22]

And Manu was endowed with great wisdom and devoted to virtue. And he became the progenitor of a line. And in Manu's race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called Manavas. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Sudras, and others have been descended, and are therefore all called Manavas. Subsequently, the Brahmanas became united with the Kshatriyas. And those sons of Manu that were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study of the Vedas. And Manu begot ten other children named Ikshvaku, Dhrishta, Narishyanta, Dishta, Nriga, Karusha, Saryati, Nabhaga, Pranshu, Prisadhra and a daughter Ila. They all betook themselves to the practices of Kshatriyas (warriors). Besides these, Manu had fifty other sons on Earth. But we heard that they all perished, quarrelling with one another.[23]

Theosophy[edit | edit source]

In Theosophy, the "Vaivasvata Manu" is one of the most important beings at the highest level of Initiation of the ancient Vedic sages, along with Maitreya, and the Maha Chohan. According to Theosophy, each root race has its own Manu who physically incarnates in an advanced body of an individual of the old root race and physically progenerates with a suitable female partner the first individuals of the new root race.

References[edit | edit source]

Citations[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Vaivasvata Manu: 3 definitions". 29 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Story of Ilā". 28 January 2019.
  3. ↑ The Hare Krsnas – The Manus – Manus of the Present Universe
  4. ↑ Francis Hamilton (1819). Genealogies of the Hindus: extracted from their sacred writings; with an introduction and alphabetical index. Printed for the author. p. 89.
  5. ↑ Alain Daniélou (11 February 2003). A Brief History of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-59477-794-3.
  6. ↑ David Dean Shulman (1980). Tamil Temple Myths: Sacrifice and Divine Marriage in the South Indian Saiva Tradition. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1-4008-5692-3.
  7. ↑ DRISCOLL, Ian Driscoll; KURTZ, Matthew Atlantis: Egyptian Genesis, 2009.
  8. ↑ Sacred Texts. Section CLXXXVI
  9. ↑ S'rîmad Bhâgavatam (Bhâgavata Purâna)Canto 8 Chapter 24 Text 12
  10. ↑ Ragozin, Zénaïde Alexeïevna (14 March 2008). The story of Vedic India as embodied ... – Google Books. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  11. ↑ Matsya Purana, Ch.I, 10–33
  12. ↑ Matsya Purana, Ch.II, 1–19
  13. ↑ The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa. Kisari Mohan Ganguli. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. 2000. ISBN 81-215-0594-1. OCLC 45040117.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. ↑ The Matsya Purana[usurped]
  15. ↑ "G. P. Bhatt (ed.), The vayu purana, part-II, 1st ed., 784—789, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.38 of Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1988". Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "J. L. Shastri (ed.), The kurma-purana, part-I, 1st ed., 47—52, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.20 of A.I.T.&M., Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1981". Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  17. ↑ "J. L. Shastri (ed.), The Narada purana, part-II, 1st ed., p. 699, tr. G. V. Tagare. In vol.16 of A.I.T.&M., Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1981". Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "Adi Parva, Sambhava Parva, Section XCV". Mahabharata.
  19. ↑ Klaus K. Klostermaier (5 July 2007). A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition. SUNY Press. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-7914-7082-4.
  20. ↑ Thapar 2013, p. 308-309.
  21. ↑ Mahabharata Book 1:Adi Parva:Sambhava Parva:Section LXXV, p. 183.
  22. ↑ The Laws of Manu Archived 17 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine, translated by George Bühler.
  23. ↑ Swami Parmeshwaranand (1 January 2001). Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-226-3., p. 638.

Sources[edit | edit source]

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