Chapter 14 - Duties of Manus and Their Functionaries

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The King (Parīkṣit) asked:

1. Be pleased to explain to me, Oh worshipful sage, how and by whom are these Manus and others employed for the execution of what (particular) function during the Manvantaras.

The sage (Śuka) replied:

2. Oh King! Manus, sons of Manus, Sages, Indras, gods—all these (five categories of functionaries) are under the control of the Supreme Person.

3. Directed by the aforesaid forms of the Supreme Person such as the incarnation called Yajña and others, Manu and other functionaries carry on the work of the world.

4. At the end of the quartet of yugas (i. e. at the beginning of the new Kṛtayuga), the sages, by dint of their asceticism and penance, saw the corpus of the Vedic texts ‘swallowed up’ by Time, through the help of which the Eternal Law (Religion) becomes known.

5. Then Manus are instructed by Hari in the path of righteousness, characterised by four feet (viz. penance, bodily and mental purity, compassion and truth). Remaining controlled in mind, they propagate the path of righteousness all over the world during their period, Oh King.

6. The protectors of the subjects (viz. the sons of Manu) themselves and through their descendants protect the path of righteousness (dharma)—and the earth—to the end of that Manvantara, while gods along with others who are eligible for sacrificial shares, enjoy their shares in the sacrificial oblations.

7. Enjoying the excellent affluence and fortune of the three worlds conferred upon him (out of grace) by the Supreme Lord, Indra protects the three worlds and sends down at will showers of rain,

8. Assuming in every Yuga, the form of Siddhas (like Sanaka) the sages (like Yājñavalkya) and masters of Yoga (like Datta), Hari teaches the paths of knowledge (Jñāna), action (Karman) and Yoga (respectively).

9. He carried out the work of creation by assuming the form of Prajāpatis (Progenitors of the world like Manci). He kills robbers etc. by appearing as an independent monarch. And possessing different characteristics, in the form of Time, he destroys all.

10. The Lord is never perceived, though praised highly by the people who are deluded by the Māyā (consisting) of various names and forms. Nor is he realized by various systems of philosophy.

11. The measures of the minor Kalpas (forming one day of Brahmā) which are the subdivisions of the great Kalpa (the lifetime of Brahmā) have been described to you. Those well-versed in ancient lore state that this Kalpa consists of fourteen Manvantaras.