Manu (Hinduism)

{{short description|Hindu concept}} {{More citations needed|date=December 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}

'''Manu''' ({{langx|sa|मनु}}) is a term found with various meanings in Hinduism. 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'.<ref name="Dalal2010p242">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC |year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6 |pages=242 }}</ref>

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 cyclic ''kalpa'' (aeon) when the universe is born anew.<ref name="Dalal2010p242" /> The title of the text ''Manusmriti'' uses this term as a prefix, but refers to the first Manu – Svayambhuva, the spiritual son of Brahma.<ref name="dalalp229" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Witzel |first=Michael |editor=George Erdosy |chapter=Ṛgvedic history: Poets, chieftains and polities |title= The Indo-Aryans of Ancient South Asia: Language, Material Culture and Ethnicity |doi=10.1515/9783110816433-019 |publisher=De Gruyter |location=Berlin |url-access= subscription |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110816433/html?lang=en |date=1995 |isbn=9783110144475 |series =Indian Philology and South Asian Studies, Vol. 1 |pages=307–352<!-- the pages given, pp. 202–204, are in a chapter by Fredrik T. Hiebert, so were likely mistaken. NOTE ENDS-->}}</ref> In the Hindu cosmology, each ''kalpa'' consists of fourteen Manvantaras, and each Manvantara is headed by a different Manu.<ref name="Dalal2010p242" />

The current universe is asserted to be ruled by the seventh Manu, named Vaivasvata.<ref name="dalalp229">{{cite book|author=Roshen Dalal |title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNmfdAKFpkQC |year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-341517-6 |pages=229 }}</ref> Vaivasvata was the king of Dravida before the great flood.<ref>{{cite book |first=Alain |last=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> 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 tale is repeated with variations in other texts, including the Mahabharata and a few other Puranas.<ref>{{cite book |author=Klaus K. Klostermaier |title=A Survey of Hinduism |edition=Third |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>

==Fourteen Manus==

There are fourteen Manus that rule in succession during each ''Kalpa'' (day of Brahma). The current ''Kalpa'' has the following Manus: {{sticky header}} {| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" |+List of Manus according to Source |- ! Manvantara !!Bhagavata Purana<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2-VhBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT109|title=Teachings of Lord Caitanya: The Golden Avatara|author=His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada|publisher=The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust|isbn=978-91-7149-730-7|pages=109–u2013 |edition=Third }}</ref> !Brahma Purana<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/brahma_purana_english_full|title=Brahma Purana |series= Parts I – IV|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi|date=1955|at=[https://archive.org/details/brahma_purana_english_full/page/n40 Part I, p.{{nbsp}}29] (3.4–7) |edition=First}}</ref> !Linga Purana<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1|title=Linga Purana|series= Part 1 of 2 |language=en |translator-last1=Shastri |translator-first1=J. L.|date=1951|at=[https://archive.org/details/LingaPuranaJ.L.ShastriPart1/page/n29 p.{{nbsp}}24]: (7.22–28)}}</ref> !Skanda Purana 1<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13010|title=The Skanda-Purana |series= Part 2 |translator-last1=Shastri |translator-first1=J. L.|translator-last2=Bhatt |translator-first2= G. P. |edition=First |date=1950 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd |location=Delhi |at=[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13010/page/n55 p.{{nbsp}}45] (5.71–75)}}</ref> !Skanda Purana 2<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13008|title=The Skanda-Purana|series= Part 7 |translator-last1=Shastri |translator-first1=J. L.|translator-last2=Bhatt |translator-first2= G. P. |edition=First |date=1951 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Pvt. Ltd |location=Delhi|at=[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13008/page/n327 p.{{nbsp}}317] (25.22–24)}}</ref> |- | 1 || colspan="5" | Swayambhuva |- | 2 || colspan="5" | Svarocisha |- | 3 || colspan="5" | Uttama |- | 4 || colspan="5" | Tapasa (Tamasa) |- | 5 || colspan="5" | Raivata |- | 6 || colspan="5" |Chakshusha |- | 7 || colspan="5" | Vaivasvata (Sraddhadeva or Satyavrata) |- | 8 || colspan="5" |Savarni |- | 9 || Daksha-savarni |Raibhya |Dharma |Brahma-savarni |Bhautya |- | 10 || Brahma-savarni |Raucya |Savarnika |Rudra-savarni |Raucya |- | 11 || Dharma-savarni | rowspan="4" |The four 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 |}

===Svayambhuva Manu=== {{main|Swayambhuva Manu}} The '''first Manu''' was the mind-born son of the god Brahma, and the husband of Shatarupa. He had three daughters, namely Akuti, Devahuti and Prasuti. Devahuti was given in marriage to Kardama and she gave birth to nine daughters and a single son named Kapila. Prasuti gave birth to several daughters, including Sati, Khyati, Diti, Aditi, Kadru, Rohini amongst many, and Akuti gave birth to one son named Yajna 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 of Indra, the king of the heavenly planets.

Svayambhuva Manu's abode is Brahmavarta, 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 became {{lang|sa|kuśa}} and {{lang|sa|kāsa}} grass.<ref>{{cite book |translator-last=Shastri |translator-first=J. L. |title=Bhagavata Purana |series=Parts 1–5 |date=1950 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |location=Delhi |at=Part 1; Skandha III; [https://archive.org/details/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish/page/n349/mode/2up p.{{nbsp}}345], 22:29–30 |chapter=Marriage of Kardama and Devahūti |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/BhagavataPuranaMotilalEnglish/page/n345/mode/1up |language=en }}</ref>

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis were Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha,<ref name="Manu">{{cite book |title=The Vishnu Purana |chapter-url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp075.htm |chapter=Book III: Chapter I – Account of the several Manus and Manwantaras |page=259 |date=1840 |translator=Horace Hayman Wilson |translator-link=Horace Hayman Wilson |title-link=Vishnu Purana |quote= The first Manu was Swáyambhuva, then came Swárochisha, then Auttami, then Támasa, then Raivata, then Chákshusha: these six Manus have passed away. The Manu who presides over the seventh Manwantara, which is the present period, is Vaivaswata, the son of the sun{{nbsp}}...}}</ref> and Vishnu's avatar is Yajna.

===Svarochisha Manu=== The '''second 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, Sage Devala was born from Shiva's third eye to succeed Svarochisa Manu in making clothes for mankind. 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, the incarnation of Vishnu for this manvantara. 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.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Urjastambha, Agni, Prana, Danti, Rishabha, Nischara, and Charvarivan.

===Uttama Manu=== Uttama, the son of Priyavrata, was the '''third Manu'''. Among his sons were Pavana, Srinjaya, and Yajnahotra. The Satyas, Devasrutas, and Bhadras became the demigods, and Satyajit became Indra. From Sunrita, the wife of Dharma, Vishnu appeared as Satyasena, and killed all the evil Rakshasas who created havoc in all the worlds, along with Satyajit.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Sankha, Pravahita, Mita, and Sammita, the sons of Vashishtha.

===Tapasa Manu=== Tapasa, also called 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, who was the incarnation of Vishnu for this Manvantara, by his wife Harini. Hari was born to liberate the devotee Gajendra.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka, and Pivara, and Vishnu's avatar is Hari.

===Raivata Manu=== The '''fifth manu''', Raivata, is 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.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni, and Vishnu's avatar is Vaikuntha.

===Chakshusha Manu=== {{main|Chakshusha Manu}}

[[File:SUDYUMNAN SEES RUDRA AND PARVATI.jpg|thumb|Sudyumnan sees Rudra and Parvati]]The '''sixth Manu''', Chakshusa, is the son of the demigod Chakshu. He had many sons, headed by Puru, Purusa, and Sudyumna. During his reign, the Indra was known as Mantradruma. Among the demigods were the Apyas, and among the great sages were Havisman and Viraka.

Chakshusha had a daughter named Jyothishmati, who wished for the most powerful being as her husband. When they asked Indra, the king of the gods, he replied that his own storms could be pushed away by Vayu. Vayu said that his winds could not push away the earth, and thus Bhumavat, the male personification of the earth, was stronger. Bhumavat said that Shesha, who holds both Vishnu and the earth, is the strongest. Shesha told Manu and Jyothishmati that his second avatar on earth would be stronger than himself, and thus Jyothishmati was reborn as Revati to marry that avatar, Krishna's brother Balarama.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhináman, and Sahishnnu, and Vishnu's avatar is Ajita.

===Vaivasvata Manu=== {{main|Vaivasvata Manu}} The '''seventh Manu''', who is the son of Vivasvan, is known as Sraddhadeva (or satyavrata) or Vaivasvata (son of Vivasvan). He has ten sons, named Ikshvaku, Nabhaga, Dhrsta, Saryati, Narisyanta, Dista (Nabhanedista), Tarusa (Karusha), Prsadhra, Vasuman (Pramshu) and Ila (Sudyumna). In this manvantara, or reign of Manu, among the demigods are the Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Visvedevas, Maruts, Ashvins and Ribhus. The king of heaven, Indra, is known as Purandara, and the seven sages are known as Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Agastya, Bhrigu, Gautama, Agastya and Bharadwaja.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Marichi, Agastya, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Bhrigu, and other like Jamadagni, Kashyapa, Gautama, Vishvamitra, Bharadvaja.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} and, Vishnu's avatar is Matsya.

===Suryasavarni Manu=== {{main|Savarni Manu}} In the period of the '''eighth Manu''', the Manu is Suryasavarni 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 of Virochana, is Indra, and Galava and Parasurama are among the seven sages. In the age of this Manu, Vishnu's avatar will be Sarvabhauma, the son of Devaguhya.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Diptimat, Galava, Parasurama, Kripa, Drauni or Ashwatthama, Vyasa, and Rishyasringa,<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp076.htm Maharishi Aswathama] Retrieved 2015-02-15</ref> and Vishnu's avatar will be Sarvabhauma.

===Dakshasavarni Manu=== The '''ninth Manu''' is Dakshasavarni. He is the son of Varuna. 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.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Savana, Dyutimat, Bhavya, Vasu, Medhatithi, Jyotishmán, and Satya, and Vishnu's avatar will be Rishabha.

===Brahmasavarni Manu=== In the period of the '''tenth Manu''', the Manu is Brahmasavarni. He is the son of Upsaloka, who is himself the son of Kartikeya. 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.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Havishmán, Sukriti, Satya, Apámmúrtti, Nábhága, Apratimaujas, and Satyaketu, and Vishnu's avatar will be Vishvaksena.

===Dharmasavarni Manu=== In the period of the '''eleventh Manu''', the Manu is Dharmasavarni, the son of the Satya 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.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Niśchara, Agnitejas, Vapushmán, Vishńu, Áruni, Havishmán, and Anagha, and Vishnu's avatar will be Dharmasetu.

===Rudrasavarni Manu=== In the period of the '''twelfth Manu''', the Manu is Rudrasavarni, 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 of Shiva and Parvati.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Tapasví, Sutapas, Tapomúrtti, Taporati, Tapodhriti, Tapodyuti, and Tapodhana, and Vishnu's avatar will be Sudhama.

===Devasavarni Manu=== In the period of the '''thirteenth Manu''', the Manu is Devasavarni. Among his sons is Chitrasena, the demigods are the Sukarmas and others, Indra is Divaspati, and Nirmoka is among the sages.

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Nirmoha, Tattvadarshin, Nishprakampa, Nirutsuka, Dhritimat, Avyaya, and Sutapas, and Vishnu's avatar will be Yogeshvara.

===Indrasavarni Manu=== In the period of the '''fourteenth Manu''', the Manu is Indrasavarni. 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.<ref>Summary of Manu in Ancient Literature ''[https://www.transliteral.org/dictionary/मनु-आदिपुरुष/word मनु (आदिपुरुष)]'' Ghanshyam Dusane</ref>

In this manvantara, the Saptarshis are Agnibáhu, Śuchi, Śhukra, Magadhá, Gridhra, Yukta, and Ajita, and Vishnu's avatar will be Brihadbhanu.

==Bibliography== {{main|Manusmriti}}

The texts ascribed to the Svayambhuva Manu include ''Manava Grihyasutra'', ''Manava Sulbasutra'' and ''Manava Dharmashasta'' (''Manusmṛti'' or "rules of Manu").<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu.htm |series=Sacred Books of the East, vol. XV |title=The Laws of Manu |publisher=Clarendon Press |date=1886 |location=Oxford |translator-last=Bühler |translator-first=George |translator-link=George Bühler |quote=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). |quote-page=1:63 |no-pp=yes |archive-date=17 April 2013 |access-date=17 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417155321/http://oaks.nvg.org/pv6bk4.html |url-status=dead }}: Archived version digitised by Tormod Kinnes, from Delhi: Banarsidass 1984 reprint.</ref>

==In Jainism== {{Main|Kulakara}}

Jain theology mentions the 14th patriarch named Nabhiraja, mentioning him also as Manu.{{sfn|Natubhai Shah|2004|pp=15–16}} 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.{{sfn|Natubhai Shah|2004|pp=15–16}} The Manu of Jainism is the father of 1st ''Tirthankara'' Rishabhanatha (Adinatha).{{sfn|Natubhai Shah|2004|pp=15–16}} This ancient story is significant as it includes one of earliest mentions of ''ikshu'' (sugarcane) processing.{{sfn|Natubhai Shah|2004|pp=15–16}}

==See also== * Adam * Proto-Indo-European religion, §Brothers * Minos, king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa. * Manu and Yemo * Mannus, progenitor of humanity in Germanic mythology according to Tacitus. * Manes, king of Lydia * Nu'u, Hawaiian mythological character who built an ark and escaped a Great Flood. * Nüwa, goddess in Chinese mythology best known for creating mankind. * Noah * Ziusudra, hero of the Sumerian flood epic * Atra-Hasis

== References == {{reflist}}

==Sources== * {{citation |last=Shah |first=Natubhai |author-link= |title=Jainism: The World of Conquerors |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qLNQKGcDIhsC |volume=I |date=2004 |orig-year=First published in 1998 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=81-208-1938-1 |ref={{sfnref|Natubhai Shah|2004}}}}

==External links== * [http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Category:Manu Manu in Vedic scripture] {{manus}} {{Legendary progenitors}} {{Adam and Eve}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Manu (Hinduism) Category:Hindu law jurists Category:Mythological kings Category:Legendary progenitors Category:Flood myths Category:Water and Hinduism Category:Mythological first humans