The Middle Manvantaras

In Hindu cosmology, a manvantara is a vast cycle of time presided over by a Manu, the progenitor and lawgiver of humanity. Each kalpa (day of Brahma) consists of 14 manvantaras. This article explores the events and key figures of the 2nd through 6th manvantaras as described in the Puranas, ancient Hindu texts rich in mythological and cosmological narratives. Each manvantara follows a similar pattern, featuring:

- A presiding Manu

- Seven sages (Saptarishi)

- Various deities

- An incarnation of Indra (king of the gods)

- Avatars of Vishnu

The Second Manvantara: Svarochisha

Manu: Svarochisha

Saptarishi: Urja, Stambha, Prana, Dattoli, Rishabha, Nischara, and Arvarivat

Indra: Vipaschit

Deities: The Paravatas and Tushitas

Key Events and Figures:

a) Origin of Svarochisha Manu: The Markandeya Purana narrates that Svarochisha was born to the sage Agni and his wife Svarochi. His birth was miraculous, marked by an extraordinary brilliance, hence his name, which means "radiant."

b) The Tale of Suvrata: This manvantara features the story of King Suvrata, who performed great penances and attained liberation. His tale emphasizes the importance of devotion and austerity.

c) Vishnu's Avatar: During this period, Vishnu is said to have incarnated as Dattatreya, the sage-avatar born to Atri and Anasuya. Dattatreya is revered as a teacher of profound spiritual wisdom.

The Third Manvantara: Auttami

Manu: Auttami (or Uttama)

Saptarishi: Kaukundihi, Kurundi, Dalaya, Sankha, Pravahita, Mita, and Sammita

Indra: Sushanti

Deities: The Sudhamas, Satyas, Sivas, Pratardanas, and Vasavartis

Key Events and Figures:

a) The Reign of Auttami: Auttami Manu, known for his righteousness, established a period of great dharmic adherence. The Vayu Purana describes his era as one of prosperity and spiritual advancement.

b) The Story of Dhundhu: This manvantara includes the tale of the demon Dhundhu, who was eventually slain by the prince Kuvalayasva, an incarnation of Vishnu.

c) Emergence of Sacred Rivers: Some Puranic accounts associate this period with the manifestation of sacred rivers, emphasizing the purifying power of water in Hindu cosmology.

The Fourth Manvantara: Tamasa

Manu: Tamasa

Saptarishi: Jyotirdhama, Prithu, Kavya, Chaitra, Agni, Vanaka, and Pivara

Indra: Sibi

Deities: The Surupas, Haris, Satyas, and Sudhis

Key Events and Figures:

a) Origin of Tamasa Manu: The Markandeya Purana relates that Tamasa was born from Jyotis (light) and his wife Svarbhanu. His name, meaning "darkness," is interpreted as a reminder of the interplay between light and shadow in creation.

b) The Tale of Gajendra: This manvantara is famous for the story of Gajendra, the elephant king, who was saved by Vishnu from a crocodile. This tale, found in the Bhagavata Purana, illustrates the power of sincere devotion.

c) Vishnu's Avatar: Vishnu is said to have appeared as Hari in this manvantara, though details of this incarnation vary between texts.

The Fifth Manvantara: Raivata

Manu: Raivata (also known as Vibhu)

Saptarishi: Hirannyaroma, Vedasri, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahamuni

Indra: Vibhu

Deities: The Bhutarayas and Vaikunthas

Key Events and Figures:

a) Raivata's Journey: The Vishnu Purana tells how Raivata and his daughter Revati traveled to Brahma's realm and experienced time dilation, returning to Earth ages later. This story introduces concepts of relative time and cosmic scales.

b) The Marriage of Revati: Revati's marriage to Balarama, brother of Krishna, links this ancient manvantara to the more recent Dwapara Yuga, illustrating the cyclical nature of Hindu time.

c) Cosmic Alignments: Some texts associate this manvantara with significant astronomical events, though these are often interpreted symbolically rather than literally.

The Sixth Manvantara: Chakshusha

Manu: Chakshusha

Saptarishi: Sumedhas, Virajas, Havishmat, Uttama, Madhu, Abhinavas, and Sahishnu

Indra: Manojava

Deities: The Apyas, Prastutas, Bhavyas, Prithigas, and Lekhyas

Key Events and Figures:

a) Origin of Chakshusha Manu: The Markandeya Purana narrates that Chakshusha was born to Chakshu and his wife Akriti. His name relates to vision or perception, symbolizing clear understanding of dharma.

b) The Tale of Vena and Prithu: This manvantara features the story of the tyrannical King Vena and his virtuous son Prithu. Prithu, considered an avatar of Vishnu, is credited with introducing agriculture and social organization.

c) Cosmic Struggles: Some accounts place significant battles between devas (gods) and asuras (demons) in this period, reflecting the ongoing theme of cosmic balance and conflict.

Common Themes and Significance

a) Establishment and Preservation of Dharma: Each Manu is tasked with upholding cosmic and social order, often in the face of challenges.

b) Interplay of Divine and Human Realms: The narratives frequently feature interactions between gods, humans, and other beings, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all levels of existence.

c) Cyclic Nature of Time: The succession of manvantaras reinforces the Hindu concept of cyclic time, with patterns of creation, preservation, and dissolution repeating at various scales.

d) Importance of Devotion and Spiritual Practice: Many stories within these manvantaras highlight the power of bhakti (devotion) and tapas (austerity) in achieving spiritual goals.

Variations in Puranic Accounts

It's important to note that details of these manvantaras can vary between different Puranic texts. Some variations include:

- Names and numbers of deities

- Specific events attributed to each period

- Interpretations of the roles of various figures

These variations reflect the diverse traditions within Hinduism and the evolving nature of these narratives over time.

Interpretations

Some scholars have attempted to correlate the manvantaras with astronomical events or historical periods. However, these interpretations are speculative and not universally accepted. The vast time scales involved (each manvantara lasting over 300 million years) make literal historical interpretations challenging. Many modern scholars and Hindu thinkers interpret the manvantara accounts symbolically:

- The succession of Manus may represent evolving states of human consciousness

- The recurring conflicts between devas and asuras might symbolize internal psychological struggles

- The various deities could represent different aspects of natural or cosmic forces

These allegorical readings allow for the extraction of philosophical and spiritual insights from these ancient narratives. The 2nd through 6th manvantaras, as described in the Hindu Puranas, represent vast cycles of time filled with rich mythological narratives. These accounts serve multiple purposes within Hindu tradition: they provide a cosmic context for human existence, offer moral and spiritual teachings through allegorical tales, and contribute to the complex tapestry of Hindu mythology.

The recurring patterns across these manvantaras – the roles of the Manus, the Saptarishi, and the avatars of Vishnu – create a sense of cosmic order and purpose. At the same time, the unique events and figures in each manvantara add diversity and depth to the overarching narrative.

Whether interpreted literally, allegorically, or as a combination of historical memory and spiritual symbolism, these accounts continue to fascinate scholars, inspire devotees, and provide material for philosophical reflection. They form an integral part of the Hindu worldview, linking the mundane with the cosmic and the present with the unfathomably distant past.

Authored by Amritanshu Pandey. Published by Brhat.