Manu (Hinduism)
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Manu is a term found with various meanings in different mythologies of Hinduism. In early texts, it refers to the archetypal man, or to the first man (progenitor of humanity).[1] In later texts, Manu is the title or name of mystical sage-rulers of earth, or alternatively as the head of mythical dynasties that begin with each cyclic kalpa (aeon) when the universe is born anew.[1] The title of the text Manusmriti uses this term as a prefix, but refers to the first Manu – Svayambhuva, the spiritual son of Brahma.[2]
In some Puranic mythology, each kalpa consists of fourteen Manvantaras, and each Manvantara is headed by a different Manu.[1] The current universe, in this mythology, is asserted to be ruled by the 7th Manu named Vaivasvata.[2]
In Vishnu Purana, Vaivasvata, also known as Sraddhadeva or Satyavrata, was the king of Dravida before the great flood.[3] 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.[4]
Contents
Manus of the current kalpa[edit]
The 14 Manus of the current aeon are:[5]
- Svayambhuva
- Svarocisa
- Uttama
- Tamasa
- Raivata
- Chakshusha (Cākṣuṣa)
- Vaivasvata (the current Manu)
- Savarni
- Daksa Sarvani
- Brahma Sarvani
- Dharma Sarvani
- Rudra Sarvani
- Deva Sarvani
- Indra Sarvani
Most texts agree on the names of the first 9 manus, but there is some disagreement on the names of the subsequent Manus.
Works ascribed to the Manus[edit]
The texts ascribed to the Svayambhuva Manu include Manava Grihyasutra, Manava Sulbasutra and Manava Dharmashastra (Manusmṛti or "rules of Manu").[6]
Jainism[edit]
Jain mythology mentions the 14th patriarch named Nabhiraja, mentioning him also as Manu.[7] This, state scholars, links ancient Jain tradition to Hindu mythologies, because the 14 patriarchs in Jain myths are similar to the 14 Manus in Hindu myths.[7] The Manu of Jainism is the father of 1st Tirthankara Rishabhanatha (Adinatha).[7] This ancient story is significant as it includes one of earliest mentions of ikshu (sugarcane) processing.[7]
In modern literature[edit]
In the Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Claude Frollo is seen to be studying Manu's works in his study of alchemy.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
- Proto-Indo-European religion, §Brothers
- Minos, king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa.
- 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[edit]
- ^ a b c Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books. p. 242. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ a b Roshen Dalal (2010). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths. Penguin Books. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-14-341517-6.
- ^ Alain Daniélou (11 February 2003). A Brief History of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. pp. 19–. ISBN 978-1-59477-794-3.
- ^ Klaus K. Klostermaier (5 July 2007). A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition. SUNY Press. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-7914-7082-4.
- ^ His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Teachings of Lord Caitanya (Third Edition): The Golden Avatara. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. pp. 109\u2013. ISBN 978-91-7149-730-7.
- ^ The Laws of Manu. See 63: 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).
- ^ a b c d Natubhai Shah 2004, pp. 15–16.
Sources[edit]
- Shah, Natubhai (2004) [First published in 1998], Jainism: The World of Conquerors, I, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 81-208-1938-1