Manu is a term found with various meanings in Hinduism. In early texts, it refers to the archetypal man, or to the first man (progenitor of humanity). The Sanskrit term for 'human', means 'of Manu' or 'children of Manu'.
In later texts, Manu is the title or name of fourteen Kshatriya rulers of earth, or alternatively as the head of dynasties that begin with each cyclic kalpa when the universe is born anew.
The title of the text Manusmriti uses this term as a prefix, but refers to the first Manu – Svayambhuva, the spiritual son of Brahma.
In the earliest mention of Manu, in the Rigveda, Manu is only the ancestor of the "Five Peoples", or "Páñca Jánāḥ"
(the five tribes being the Anus, Druhyus, Yadus, Turvashas, and Purus). The Indo-Aryans considered all other peoples to be a-manuṣa. Later, in the Hindu cosmology, each kalpa consists of fourteen Manvantaras, and each Manvantara is headed by a different Manu.
The current universe is asserted to be ruled by the 7th Manu named Vaivasvata. Vaivasvat was the king of Dravida before the great flood. He was warned of flood by the Matsya avatar of Vishnu&built a boat that carried Vedas,Manu's family &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. It is similar to other flood such as that of Gilgamesh and Noah.
Svayambhuva Manu
The first Manu was Svayambhuva Manu.He was the mind-born son of God Brahma and husband of Shatarupa.He had 3 daughters,namely Akruti, Devahuti & Prasuti.Devahuti was given in marriage to sage Kardama & she gave birth to 9 daughters & a single son named Kapila.
Prasuti gave birth to several daughters including Khyati, Anasuya amongst many, and Akruti gave birth to one son named Yajna and one daughter. Both Kapila and Yajna, who were sons of Devahuti and Akruti 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 of time, Rakshasas attacked them, but Yajna, accompanied by his sons, the demigods, swiftly killed them.
Then Yajna personally took the post of Indra,the King of heavenly planets. Svayambhuva Manu's abode is Brahmavarta,with the town of Barhismati as the capital. Barhismati was formed when Visnu in his Varaha Avatar shook his body,there fell large hair,which turned into the town.
The small hairs which fell turned into kusa and kasa grass.
In this Manvantara, the Saptarshis were Marichi, Atri, Angiras, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulastya, and Vashishtha. In Svayambhuva-manvantara, Lord Vishnu's avatar was called Yajna.
Swarochisha Manu
The Saptarshis were Urjastambh,Agni,Prana, Danti,Rishabh,Nischar& Charvarivan. In Svarocisha-manvantara, Bhagwan Vishnu's avatar was called Vibhu.
The second Manu,whose name was Svarocisha,was the son of Agni&his sons were headed by Dyumat,Sushena &Rochishmat.
He invented clothing&made it for mankind. At his deathbed,Devala Rishi was born from Shiva's third eye to succeed Svarochisa Manu in making clothes for mankind. In the age of this Manu,Rochana became Indra,the ruler of heavenly planets &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. Vibhu was the incarnation of Vishnu for this Manvantara. He remained a Brahmachari all his life and never married.
He instructed 88000 dridha-vratas or saintly persons, on sense-control and austerity.
Uttama Manu
The Saptarshis for this Manvantara were Kaukundihi, Kurundi,Dalaya,Sankha, Pravahita,Mita & Sammita. In Uttama-manvantara,Prabhu Vishnu's avatar was called Satyasena.
Uttama, the son of Priyavrata, was the third Manu.Among his sons were Pavana,Srinjaya and Yajnahotra.During the reign of this Manu,the sons of Vashista,headed by Pramada, became the seven saintly persons.The Satyas, Devasrutas & Bhadras became the demigods &Satyajit became Indra.
From the womb of Sunrita, the wife of Dharma, the Supreme God Narayana appeared as Satyasena and killed all the evil Rakshasas who created havoc in all the worlds, along with Satyajit, who was Indra at that time.
Tapasa/Tamasa Manu
Saptarshis list: Jyotirdhama, Prithu,Kavya,Chaitra,Agni, Vanaka and Pivara. In Tapasa-manvantara,Bhagwan Vishnu's avatar was called Hari.
Tapasa/Tamasa,the brother of third Manu,was the fourth Manu and he had ten sons, including Prithu,Khyati,Nara and Ketu.
During his reign,Satyakas, Haris,Viras&others were demigods.The 7 great saints were headed by Jyotirdhama& Trisikha became Indra.Harimedha begot a son named Hari,who was the incarnation of Vishnu for this Manvantar by his wife Harini.Hari was born to liberate devotee Gajendra.
Raivata Manu
Saptarshis list: Hirannyaroma, Vedasrí, Urddhabahu, Vedabahu, Sudhaman, Parjanya, and Mahámuni. In Raivata-manvantara, Vishnu's avatar was called Vaikuntha, not to be confused with Vishnu’s divine realm, of the same name.
Vaikuntha came as Raivata Manu, 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.
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महालक्ष्मी व्रत हिंदू धर्म में अत्यंत पवित्र और फलदायक व्रत माना गया है। यह व्रत माता महालक्ष्मी — धन, सौभाग्य, और समृद्धि की देवी — को प्रसन्न करने के लिए किया जाता है।
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🌺।।व्रत की तिथि।।🌺
भाद्रपद शुक्ल अष्टमी से लेकर आश्विन कृष्ण अष्टमी तक (16 दिन तक) यह व्रत किया जाता है।
इस व्रत को स्त्रियाँ अपने परिवार के सुख, समृद्धि और अखंड सौभाग्य के लिए करती हैं।
🌺।। श्री महालक्ष्मी व्रत कथा ।।🌺
एक समय महर्षि श्री वेदव्यासजी हस्तिनापुर पधारे। उनका आगमन सुन महाराज धृतराष्ट्र उनको आदर सहित राजमहल में ले गए। स्वर्ण सिंहासन पर विराजमान कर चरणोदक ले उनका पूजन किया।
🌺।।Ashta Lakshmi (अष्टलक्ष्मी) — the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi — represent eight kinds of wealth and prosperity essential for a balanced, divine, and fulfilling life।।🌺
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Each form of Maa Laxmi bestows a unique blessing beyond just material riches — encompassing spiritual, moral, familial, and intellectual abundance.
A brief overview of each form:
1. Ādi Lakshmi (आदि लक्ष्मी) – The Primeval Goddess
Symbol of eternal wealth and divine energy.
Worshipped as the origin of all prosperity and creation.
2. Dhānya Lakshmi (धान्य लक्ष्मी) – Goddess of Grains and Nourishment
Bestows food, health, and agricultural prosperity.
🌺।।The Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam Stotram traces its origin back to the period of Mahabharata।।🌺
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The Śrī Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotram (meaning “the Thousand Names of Bhagwan Sri Vishnu”) originates from one of the most sacred and ancient Hindu scriptures — the Mahābhārata, specifically from the Anuśāsana Parva (Book 13), Chapter 149.
🌺।।Context in the Mahābhārata।।🌺
After the great Kurukṣetra war, Bhīṣma Pitāmaha lay on a bed of arrows, awaiting his death. During this time, Yudhiṣṭhira, burdened with sorrow and doubt about his duties as king, approached Bhīṣma to seek divine wisdom on dharma (righteousness), mokṣa (liberation), and the path to peace.
Bhīṣma, full of devotion and divine knowledge, answered Yudhiṣṭhira’s many questions about dharma, yoga, karma, and devotion.
When Yudhiṣṭhira asked:
“By chanting or remembering whose name can man overcome all sorrows and attain peace and success?”
🌺।।The Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is one of the most magnificent and spiritually significant temples in India।।🌺
Let's explore the Story of this Temple in this Thread 🧵
It is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (a form of Parvati) and her consort Sri Sundareswarar (a form of Shiva).
A Paadal Petra Sthalam where Shiva took the form of Sundareswarar (the handsome one) and married Devi Parvati (Meenakshi). Devi is also known by the name Angayarkanni (mother with the beautiful fish eyes).
Devi Meenakshi emerged from yagna fire as a 3 year old girl when Pandyan King Malayadwaja and Kanchanamalai were praying for a child. It is said that Devi was born with three breasts and there was a prophecy that her superfluous breast would melt away when she met her husband.
🌺।।Kshetrapal Devtas (क्षेत्रपाल देवता) and the Legend behind Panjurli and Guliga Daivas।।🌺
A Thread 🧵
In Hindu tradition, Kshetrapal literally means “Guardian of the Region” (Kshetra = region/area; Pal = protector). These divine beings are considered protectors of specific places — villages, temples, forests, mountains, or directions — ensuring safety, purity, and balance in that domain.
Here’s a detailed overview 👇
🌺।।Meaning and Role of Kshetrapala।।🌺
Kshetrapal Devtas are guardian deities assigned to protect a particular kshetra (area).
They maintain spiritual order, ward off evil forces, and ensure prosperity in their region.
Every sacred space — especially temples and pilgrimage spots — has a Kshetrapal who oversees and guards it.
🌺।।Panjurli and Guliga।।🌺
Panjurli and Guliga are among the most powerful and revered Daivas (divine spirits) in the Tulu Nadu region of coastal Karnataka (mainly Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Kasaragod).
They are worshipped in the Bhuta Kola tradition — a unique and ancient spiritual system where divine spirits (Bhutas or Daivas) act as guardians, protectors, and justice-givers for the land and its people.
🌺।।Since Bhagwan Sri Krishna is the 9th Avatar in the 10 incarnations of Sri Vishnu, here are 9 interesting facts about our beloved Bhagwan Sri Krishna।।🌺
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1. Sri Krishna was dark and not blue in complexion
Sri Krishna’s colour has been described as blue primarily in many historical writings but it comes to be known that he was not actually blue. He had a darker complexion. He was also very good looking and a natural charmer. Many kathak dancers and writers call him Shyam meaning one of a darker complexion backing up the fact.
2. Sri Krishna had once advised people to worship Govardhan mountain
It was a usual day for the residents of Vrindavan. They were on their way to worship Dev Indra for the rain. Krishna stopped them midway and explained to them the importance of mother nature and the Govardhan mountain. He asked them to worship the mountain and nature instead of Indra Dev. This called for Indra’s rage over Vrindavan and led to the flooding of the entire town. Sri Krishna then picked up the mountain on his smallest finger and saved his fellow villagers. Yet another presentation of his divine self.
3. Draupadi & Krishna shared an unbreakable bond
Through the chapters of Mahabharata, it is very evident that Sri Krishna and Draupadi shared a very special bond. Their bond was one of its kind. Krishna addressed Draupadi as his Sakhi and Draupadi addressed Krishna as his Sakha. He was always there to guide her and be her biggest support system.