Svayambhuvamanu, Svayambhuva-manu, Svāyambhuvamanu: 3 definitions

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Svayambhuvamanu means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Svayambhuvamanu in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Svāyambhuvamanu (स्वायम्भुवमनु).—Son of Brahmā and the first of the Manus. Birth. Svāyambhuva Manu was born as the mental son, and Śatarūpā as the mental daughter, of Brahmā. Svāyambhuva did penance and acquired boons for ruling over the subjects. He married Śatarūpā herself. Brahmā appointed him as the first Manu to rule over the subjects. Two sons named Priyavrata and Uttānapāda and two daughters named Prasūti and Ākūti, were born to Svāyambhuva by his wife Śatarūpā. Of the two daughters Prasūti was given to Prajāpati Dakṣa and Ākūti to Prajāpati Ruci as wives. A son named Yajña and a daughter named Dakṣiṇā were born to Ruci by Ākūti. The children were twins.

It is believed that Svāyambhuva and Śatarūpā are the first human beings. A story as given below, occurs in Matsya Purāṇa. Brahmā took birth as a man somewhere in Kāśmīra. Brahmā who took birth as man, created Śatarūpā from his own body, without any decrease in its radiance. Svāyambhuva (Brahmā) appreciated the beauty of Śatarūpā. He grew amorous. But Brahmā was ashamed of his feeling, as Śatarūpā being half of his body, was his daughter. Being subjected to love and shame at the same time Svāyambhuva stood there, looking at Śatarūpā. To avoid the look of Brahmā, Satarūpā moved to one side. Brahmā had no courage to turn his face to that side. So another face sprang up on that side for him. Śatarūpā turned to four sides and Brahmā thus got four faces. His amour subsided. When the desire subsided, a man originated from Brahmā. That man is Svāyambhuva. (For further details see under Manvantara). (See full article at Story of Svāyambhuva-manu from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Svāyambhuvamanu (स्वायम्भुवमनु) refers to the male (puruṣa) form of Brahmā after he split his body into two forms (dvirūpa), according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.16:—“[...] then I [viz., Brahmā] created from the different parts of my body innumerable sons, Suras (devas) and Asuras (demons) and many others after assigning them different bodies, O sage. I was then prompted by Śiva present within me and hence, O sage, I split myself into two having assumed two forms (dvirūpa). One half had the form of a woman (nārī) and the other half that of a man (puruṣa). He then created in her a couple (dvandva), the means of excellent nature. The man was Svāyambhuva Manu, the greatest of the means (of creation). The woman was Śatarūpā, a Yoginī, an ascetic woman. The auspicious lady was accepted by Manu with due matrimonial rites, O dear one, he created beings through her by the process of sexual intercourse”.

He (Svāyambhuva Manu) begot of her (Śatarūpā) two sons Priyavrata and Uttānapāda and three daughters Ākūti, Devahūti and Prasūti, all of them very famous. He gave Ākūti in marriage to Ruci and the middle one to Kardama. He gave Prasūti the younger sister of Uttānapāda in marriage to Dakṣa. Their sons and progeny are spread over the world both mobile and immobile. [...] Thus according to their own actions and at the bidding of Śiva innumerable famous brahmins were born out of the various living beings.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Svāyambhuvamanu (स्वायम्भुवमनु).—The first son of Brahmā and the first king (Samrāṭ) also Virāṭ. Ruled the earth, girt by seven seas, occupying Brahmāvarta with Barhiṣmatī as capital. A Viprarājaṛṣi. Learnt the Veda from his father, who asked him to rule according to Dharma. Wife Śatarūpā; sons Priyavrata and Uttānapāda besides eight more through Anantā and a daughter, Devahūtī. Other daughters were Ākūti and Prasūti1 who married Dakṣa and Ruci respectively. Met Kardama on the Sarasvatī, spoke of interdependence of the Kṣatriya and the Brahmana, and offered his daughter Devahūtī in marriage to that sage.2 Another daughter Dhanyā became the wife of Dhruva. Seeing Dhruva fighting with the Yakṣas in utter wrath, Manu asked him to cease slaughtering the innocents and to ask pardon of Kubera, their chief.3 Appointed Priyavrata in charge of the kingdom and retired to tapas. Spent 71 yugas meditating on Viṣṇu, and gave Him the name, Hari. Did not take objection to Hara's violation of dharma, though he was one of the twelve who knew the dharma ordained by Hari.4 Served as calf for Pṛthu to milk the earth.5 Formed one half of the Creator and the other was Śatarūpā. Asked Brahmā for the earth being lifted out of the waters to form an abode for him and his subjects, when a Varāha issued from Brahmā's nostrils to do the work.6 Renouncing the world, Manu stood on one leg meditating on the glory of Hari on the bank of the Sunandā for a hundred years; when the Asuras tried to attack and devour him, Hari in the form of yajña slew them.7 The first to give out smārta dharma, varṇāśrama dharma and the first to practice śiṣṭācāra; requested by Brahma to protect the vedas and consequently the yajñas. Divided the Vedas into four sections.8 An Ādipuruṣa. From him were born Vairājas.9

  • 1) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 1. 1, 5 and 7, XI. 14. 4; III. 20. 1 and 10; 21. 1-3, 25-26; 22. 26-9; VI. 1. 1; 8. 6; Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 13. 105; Matsya-purāṇa 3. 44-5; 4. 34; 145, 90; Vāyu-purāṇa 3. 2, 36; 23. 47; 59. 56-7; Viṣṇu-purāṇa I. 7. 14-19; III. 1. 6.
  • 2) Bhāgavata-purāṇa III. 21. 45; 22. 3-14.
  • 3) Ib. IV. 11. 6-34; Matsya-purāṇa 4. 38.
  • 4) Bhāgavata-purāṇa V. 1. 21-2; XI. 2. 15; III. 22. 31-6; II. 7. 2; VI. 17. 12; 3. 20; IV. 21. 28.
  • 5) Ib. IV. 18. 12; 29. 42.
  • 6) Ib. III. 12. 53-4; 13. 3-18.
  • 7) Bhāgavata-purāṇa VIII. 1. 7-10.
  • 8) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa II. 29. 46, 61-4; 30. 34; 32. 35-8, 96; 34. 2-8; 35. 175; 36. 3; 37. 14; IV. 1. 32 and 109; Matsya-purāṇa 142. 42.
  • 9) Ib. 3. 45-6; 171. 27; 192. 10; 227. 32.
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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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