स्वयम्भुव मनु
Swayambhuva Manu is the first of the fourteen Manus in Hindu cosmology, each of whom governs over a period known as a Manvantara, slightly longer than 71 Chatur-Yugas. He was created by Lord Brahma alongside his wife Shatarupa. Together, they had five children: two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters, Aahuti, Devahuti, and Prasuti.
Connection to Hindu Mythology:
- Varaha Avatar: During Swayambhuva Manu’s reign, the earth was submerged in a great ocean. The Devas prayed to Vishnu, who then incarnated as the Varaha (boar) to lift the earth from the cosmic waters and restore balance, a key event during Manu’s period. This avatar of Vishnu is deeply connected with the role of Swayambhuva Manu in overseeing the emergence of life and order on earth.
- Daksha and Creation: Through his daughter Prasuti, who married Daksha, Swayambhuva Manu is also tied to the grand cosmic cycles of creation. Daksha is a Prajapati (progenitor) and had thirteen daughters, who were instrumental in furthering the creation of the universe. These daughters, including Sati, who married Shiva, are pivotal in Hindu mythology for linking Manu’s lineage to the divine forces.
Offspring | Married to | Key Role in Mythology |
---|---|---|
Aahuti | Ruchi (a Prajapati) | Their son was an incarnation of Vishnu, and daughter Dakshina was a portion of Lakshmi |
Devahuti | Sage Kardama | Their son was Kapila, the founder of the Samkhya philosophy |
Prasuti | Daksha | She had thirteen daughters, including Sati, who married Shiva |
Important Connections:
- Kapila: The son of Devahuti and Kardama, Kapila is the founder of the Samkhya philosophy, one of the six classical schools of Hindu philosophy, representing knowledge and renunciation.
- Sati and Shiva: Through Prasuti and Daksha, Swayambhuva Manu is connected to the famous tale of Sati, whose death and rebirth as Parvati became central to the mythological narrative of Shiva.
Swayambhuva Manu’s role as the first Manu places him at the heart of Hindu cosmology, connected to key figures and stories that shape the spiritual and material universe. His lineage ties together divine avatars, great sages, and mythological events that form the foundation of the universe’s creation and evolution.