A Page from Ancient History

Learned Brahmins were extremely enchanted and sanctified to hear the legendary tale of king Prithu. They were satisfied but wanted to know about different Manvantaras.

They modestly said, “O great mahatma Sutaji please tell in detail about creation …and about the Manvantaras.”

Sage Lomharsana Suta said, “O great brahmins, it is difficult to describe the age of Manvantaras even if I continue to tell you for a period of one hundred years. One learns that the first Manu was Swayambhuva Manu, the second was Swarochisa, the third and fourth were –Uttama and Tamasa, Raivata and Chaksusa were the fifth and sixth Manus and the seventh Manu was Vaivasvata. Thus, we had six Manus and Manvantaras before the present Manu.

Vaivasvata is Manu of the present age. After Vaivasvata, Sarvarani, Bhautya and Rauchya will govern different ages -Kalpas called Manvantaras. Then, four more Manus called Meru - savarnya will rule different ages. It is obvious that fourteen Manus will live and guide destiny of age of past, present and future. I heard about Manus and so I gave the names of fourteen Manus.”

After a few moments, he said, “You know that a Manvantara has seventy-one cycles of Mahayugas that simply means twelve thousand years of gods. Puranas make mention of fourteen Manvantaras, which derive their names from progenitors –the ancestors and rulers, the sovereigns of the worlds. Each Manvantara has seventy-one cycles of four Yugas, one learns. After completion of seventy-one rotations of four Yugas is the age of Manu I tell you and that will take many years to complete the narration of lord Manu of each Manvantara.”

“Now it would interest you if I tell you about the sages, the sons of Manu of each age –Manvantara and gods. Marichi, Atri, Angira, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulsatya and Vasistha the seven sons of Brahma situated in northern direction are the sages of Swayambhuva Manu. Agnidhra, Agnibahu, Madhya, Medhathithi, Vasu, Jyotiashmana, Dyutmana, Havya, Sabala … are sons of Swayambhuva Manu, who wield great prowess and strength.

Vishnu's incarnation is ‘Yajna’ says Swayambhuva Manu, the first Manu. He had three daughters - Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. Devahuti’s son was sage Kapila -lord’s manifestation also and had nine daughters. Prasuti gave birth to Yajna and Akuti had a son and daughter. Later, Swayambhuva Manu and holy consort Satarupa went to the forest and underwent austere tapa and penance near the bank of Sunanda River. While they were engaged in penance, raksasasa attacked but Yajna and sons and celestial beings killed evil raksasasa. Hereafter, Yajna became Indra, the lord of gods of heavens.

Swarochisa Manvantara had seven sages –Prana, Brihaspati, Dattatreya, Atri, Chyavana, Vayuprokta and Mahavrata. Tushita was the head of gods of this age. Havirghana, Sukriti, Jyoti, Aap, Murti, Prateeta, Nabhasya, Nabha and Urja, the great souls were most powerful, courageous and mighty sons of Manu Swarochisa.

Svarochisa was the son of Agni, whose other sons were Dyumata, Susena and Rochismata. Rochana became Indra of this age, who governed heavens, and the age had a number of demigods and Tushita was the leader of demigods. Many virtuous souls like Urjastambha glorified the age. Vedasira was one such brave and holy soul, whose spouse Tushita gave birth to Vibhu. Vibhu gave religious education to eighty-eight thousand dridhavratas- angelic men and taught them how to exercise self-control and live life of austerity.

In the third Manvantara called Uttama seven sons of sage Vasistha and a brilliant son Urja of Hirayanagarbha were the wise men, the sages of this Manvantara. The gods carried the name of Bhanu in the age. Isa, Urja, Tanurja, Madhu, Madhav, Suchi, Sukra, Saha, Nabhasya and Nabha were the courageous and gallant sons of Uttama Manvantara.

O holy Brahmins, the seven sages of fourth Manavantara were - Kavya, Prithu, Agri, Jahanu, Dhatta, Kapivana and Akapivana. The heroic, intrepid and spirited sons and grandsons of the sages attained glory and fame as virtuous Brahmins in sacred Puranas.

Tamasa Manvantara, the group of gods was Satya you know O wise and brilliant Brahmins, and therefore, people revered them as magnificent ten sons of Tamasa Manu, and they were Dyuti, Tapasya, Sutapas, Tapobhuta, Sanatana, Taporati, Akalmasa, Tanvi, Dhanvi and Parantapa.

Holy seven sages of fifth Manvantara Raivata were –Devabahu, Yadudhara, Vedasira, Hirayanroma, Parjanya Somanandan, Urdhavbahu, Atriyakumara and Satyanetra. These gods carried the names of Prakriti and Abhuktarajas. Wise and valiant sons of Raivata Manu Dhá¹›timāna, Avayaya, Yukta, Tattvadarsi, Nirutsuka, Aranya, Prakasa, Nirmoha, Satyavaka and Krti were famous… and men of truth.

O wise and virtuous Brahmins, you know the sixth Manvantara Chaksusa again had seven great sages, whom people revered and loved. The sages of this Manvantara Bhrigu, Nabha, Vivasvana, Sudhama, Virja, Atinama and Sahisnu disseminated message of truth and wisdom, and were deeply religious. They were all religious men on earth and were not different from celestial beings. The gods of the age had the title and name of Lekhas. O erudite and intelligent Brahmins, Nāḍvaleya a man of great ability and skill, was famous Ruru, and others were ten sons of Chaksusa Manu of equal strength and competence.

The seventh Manvantara Vaivasvata is significant you know. Atri, Vasistha, Kasyapa, Gautama, Bhardwaja, Visvamitra and Jamdagni are the great sages of Vaivasvata Manu situated in heaven people learn. The great gods of Vaivasvata Manvantara namely Sadhya, Rudra, Visvedeva, Vasu, Marudrana, Aditya and Aswinikumaras guide, spread and protect the laws of this age and are present in the world in all directions and regions, and take care of the principles of dharma, virtues and truth, and thus, play an important role in Vaivasvata Manvantara.

Thus, people think as Srutis tell that they are gods of the present Manvantara. One learns that at the end of each Manvantara, four groups of gods out of the seven would go to heavens after they fulfill allocated and obligatory duties on earth and so shall attain the land of Brahma, a land free from anxieties and worries. The left out would take over and fill the position and do the assigned duties, and therefore, O brahmins, Manus and the gods of the past and the present govern and guide the dynasty of created beings of various nature and kinds, and further, beings without disturbing others, permit the flow of life in the great age.

It is interesting to notice that Vaivastava Manu had ten sons and the most distinguished among them was Ikaswaku. The sons and grandsons of the sages of this age, one learns live in all directions and regions. It is worthwhile to reiterate that in each Manvantara, seven wise men – the great sages live for the establishment of dharma and for the wellbeing and protection of people. After each Manvantara, four of the wise sages free from ailments or suffering, would attain the land of Brahmaloka, and later on, the sages left behind would take over the sacred function, and accomplish it competently. This continuity in discharge of essential duties the wise seven sages maintain, and so uninterruptedly, fulfill the task the creator assigned.

Sage Parasurama, Vyasa, Atreya, in the dynasty of Bhardwaja -Asavththama, a son of guru Dronacharya, Sardvana of the dynasty of Gautama, Galab of Kushika dynasty and a son of sage Kasyapa called Aurava will be the sage of Savarani Manvantara of eighth Manu. Savarani Manu will be a proud father of the holiest sons namely Vairee, Adhavrivana, Shamana, Dhritimana, Vasu, Arista, Adhrista, Baji and Sumati. They will bless the men with radiance, grandeur and long life if people get up early in the morning, and remember the names of holy men of glory.

To know Manvantara and its interesting constitution itself offers adequate contentment, and increases curiosity of inquisitive minds to know and understand more about different ages that hold great charm and magic, and have amazing men of wisdom, knowledge and divine power while they live on earth and spread message of goodwill, peace, harmony, purity, truth and inviolability. It is motivating to know about other Manvantaras.

Five Manus will carry the sacred name of Savarana. One is son of Surya and Prajapati is father of other Manus. The sons of Prajapati will undergo intense tapa and penance on the top of Mountain Meru and so, will attain golden complexion like the mountain, and so will be famous as –Meru Savaranya. One learns that they are sons of Priya, a daughter of Prajapati Daksa.

In future, people learn through Srutis that Rauchya and Bhauchya will be the other two Manus in addition to the above five Manus of Savarani Manvantara. In fact, son of Prajapati Ruchi will be Rauchya. Bhuti, a spouse of Prajapati Ruchi will give birth to a son, whom people will call Bhautya Manu in future.

“O holy Brahmins, this great Kalpa will have seven future Manus. All the seven Manus will guide, protect and take care of the created beings of the worlds, the islands and the cities for one thousand Yugas. Know O holy Brahmins that the age of one Manvantara means completion of a cycle of four Yugas -Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, for seventy-one times. Thus, fourteen Manus will look after the earth, all the worlds, different directions and regions. They will enhance glory and grandeur of created beings, the celestial beings and others.

All the Vedas and Puranas describe the sovereign influence of wise and virtuous Manus. In truth, they are the guardians and refuge of Prajas -created beings - Public. Manus are Prajapatis, who help in the attainment of wealth and worldly glory if worshipped with dedication. To sing hymns of glory of Manus is supremely blissful, O holy men.”

“The end of creation is a certainty. After the completion of a Manvantara, annihilation is inevitable. Nothing survives. However, a few gods, the sages and the celestial beings of severe penance and meditation, discipline and self-control, and those who are equipped with the knowledge of scriptures stay alive. One Kalpa is over after completion of one thousand rotations of four Yugas. At that time, the extremely blistering heat of rays of sun, burn and reduce to ashes all created beings –the animate or the inanimate. Now, all the gods, the celestial beings, and the adityas and the Brahmins on the advice and directions of lord Brahma merge with the Supreme lord, the great lord Narayana. Supreme Narayana after the extermination of creation at the end of Manvantara again begins the process of creation. He is eternal, indefinable and is beyond word and description. The entire universe belongs to him.”

“O pure souls and men of devotion, as desired I shall tell you about the creation of enormously radiant and dazzling Vaivasvata Manu.”

Sage Suta deliberated for a moment and said, “Aditi, a daughter of Prajapati Daksa and the holy consort of sage Kasyapa gave birth to Vivasvana –Surya. Later, Vivasvana married Sangya, a daughter of celestial artisan Visvakarma, who afterward, gave birth to three children –one daughter and two sons. Prajapati Shradhdeva whom people also call Vaivasvata Manu took birth. Subsequently, twin Yama and Yamuna took birth. Sangya failed to confront and endure Surya because of lord’s intense glow and astounding luminosity. Therefore, to escape the glittering sparkle of Surya, she changed into a shadow Sangya and became famous as Svarana.

Surya did not recognize and thought that she was Sangya, and through her gave birth to a very dazzling son of equal shine and brightness. He was like his elder brother Manu, and therefore, he became famous as Svarana Manu.

On the other hand, Shadow Sangya gave birth to another son, who was well-known Shainischer. Yama occupied the chair of lord of Dharma, and satisfied and delighted the entire Praja. Because of sacred functions, he secured control over the manes -the Pitres and attained the status of Lokpala –the guardian of people. Savarana Manu was Prajapati. His brother Shainischer glorified the status of planet. He will be the lord of future Manvantara Savaranik. Even today, Savarana Manu is engaged in austere penance on the highest ridge of Mount Meru you learn through Srutis O Brahmins.”

Learned sage Lomaharsana Suta looked at the attentive Brahmins and was quiet now. It was a surprising and delightful tale of different Manvantara and they appeared quite stunned even as curiosity to know more increased each moment.