Swayambhuva Manu

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Svayambhuva Manu (Sanskrit: स्वयम्भुव मनु, romanized: Svāyaṃbhuva Manu) is the first of the fourteen Manus, the first man of a Yuga in Hindu cosmogony.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} He is the manasaputra (mind-born son) of Brahma and husband of Shatarupa, the first woman.^[6][7] He is stated to have divided the Vedas into four sections.^[8]

The creation of Svayambhuva Manu and Shatarupa from the body of Brahma are mentioned in the Puranas:^[9][10]

[...] O sage, I [Brahma] split myself into two having assumed two forms. One half had the form of a woman and the other half that of a man.^{[note 1]} He then created in her a couple, the means of excellent nature. The man was Svayambhuva Manu, the greatest of the means (of creation). The woman was Satarupa, a Yogini, an ascetic woman.

— Shiva Purana, Section 2.1, Chapter 16, verses 10-12^[9]

According to the Bhagavata Purana,

While he was thus absorbed in contemplation and was observing the supernatural power, two other forms were generated from his body. They are still celebrated as the body of Brahma. Out of them, the one who had the male form became known as the Manu named Svayambhuva, and the woman became known as Satarupa, the queen of the great soul Manu.

— Bhagavata Purana, 3.12.52^[10]

According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana

The four faced Brahma, on being born, produced from His mind Svayambhuva Manu and his wife shatarupa, the embodiment of all virtues. For this very reason, Svayambuva Manu has been known as the mind-born son of Brahma.

— Devi Bhagavata Purana, 10.01.7.14^[11]

Svayambhuva Manu married Shatarupa. He had two sons named Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters named Akuti, Devahuti, and Prasuti.^[12] Manu married his first daughter Akuti to Rishi Ruci, his middle daughter Devahuti to Prajapati Kardama and his youngest daughter Prasuti to Prajapati Daksha.^[13]

Swayambhuva Manu is one of the Manus mentioned in Hindu cosmology, and he is the first of the 14 Manus of the current Manvantara. Each Manvantara is a time period that lasts for 71.6 million years, and a new Manu governs each Manvantara.

Timeline and Context: Time Period:

Swayambhuva Manu is said to have lived during the first Manvantara of the current Kalpa (cosmic cycle). A Kalpa consists of 14 Manvantaras. The current Kalpa is known as the Vaivasvata Kalpa, and it began after the previous Kalpa, known as the Shvetavaraha Kalpa. The time of Swayambhuva Manu is said to be in the early phase of the Vaivasvata Kalpa, which would be roughly billions of years ago. Manvantara Duration:

Each Manvantara lasts around 71.6 million years, and Swayambhuva Manu reigned during the first Manvantara of this cycle. So, it is estimated that his time was around over 2 billion years ago, considering the cyclic nature of time in Hindu cosmology. Role and Significance:

Swayambhuva Manu is the first Manu in this Vaivasvata Kalpa, and he is regarded as the progenitor of humanity in Hindu cosmology. He was the ruler and lawgiver of the first human civilization after a great cosmic upheaval or deluge, which is said to have wiped out earlier creations. Swayambhuva means "born of himself" or "self-born," indicating that he was created by Brahma, the creator god, without any parents. He played a key role in the re-establishment of human life on Earth after the destruction of the previous cycle. He had daughters who were married to sage (rishis), thus continuing the cycle of creation. His reign is associated with the establishment of moral laws, and he is considered to have laid the foundation for human society and Dharma (righteousness). Cosmological Placement:

In Hindu cosmology, a Kalpa consists of 14 Manvantaras, and we are currently in the 7th Manvantara, with the Vaivasvata Manu (the current Manu). The previous Manvantaras, including the one ruled by Swayambhuva Manu, are part of earlier cycles of creation. Conclusion: In Hindu cosmology, Swayambhuva Manu lived during the first Manvantara of the current Vaivasvata Kalpa, which, based on Hindu timekeeping, places his reign at around billions of years ago — typically estimated to be over 2 billion years ago. His era marks a fresh start for humanity following a great cosmic reset, where the first human beings began to evolve and follow the dharma (righteousness).

1. Lifespan

Lifespan: The lifespan of Svayambhuva Manu is traditionally said to be 71 years of the divine year, which translates to a total of 4,320,000 years in human years. This immense lifespan is typical for Manus in Hindu cosmology, reflecting their elevated status and divine nature. Background Parentage: He is the mind-born son of Brahma and the husband of Shatarupa. Children: Svayambhuva Manu had two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanapada, and three daughters, Akuti, Devahuti, and Prasuti. This information highlights the mythological significance of Svayambhuva Manu within Hindu tradition as a primordial figure representing humanity's beginnings.