Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 4
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
श्रीऋषिरुवाच मनवोऽस्मिन्व्यतीता: षट् कल्पे स्वायम्भुवादय: । आद्यस्ते कथितो यत्र देवादीनां च सम्भव: ॥ ४ ॥
śrī-ṛṣir uvāca manavo ’smin vyatītāḥ ṣaṭ kalpe svāyambhuvādayaḥ ādyas te kathito yatra devādīnāṁ ca sambhavaḥ
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: In the present kalpa there have already been six Manus. I have described to you Svāyambhuva Manu and the appearance of many demigods. In this kalpa of Brahmā, Svāyambhuva is the first Manu.
FAQs
This verse states that in the current kalpa, six Manus beginning with Svāyambhuva have already passed, and that the first Manu’s period—where the origins of the devas and other beings were described—has been previously narrated.
He is organizing the narrative by time-cycles, reminding Parīkṣit that the earlier account of Svāyambhuva Manu has already been covered, and preparing to describe subsequent Manvantaras relevant to the events of Canto 8.
It places personal struggles and achievements within a vast spiritual timeline, cultivating humility, detachment from temporary upheavals, and steadiness in bhakti by remembering the Lord’s governance across ages.