Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
सत्यका हरयो वीरा देवास्त्रिशिख ईश्वर: । ज्योतिर्धामादय: सप्त ऋषयस्तामसेऽन्तरे ॥ २८ ॥
satyakā harayo vīrā devās triśikha īśvaraḥ jyotirdhāmādayaḥ sapta ṛṣayas tāmase ’ntare
During the reign of Tāmasa Manu, the devas included the Satyakas, the Haris, and the Vīras. Indra was Triśikha. The sages in saptarṣi-dhāma were led by Jyotirdhāma and others.
This verse lists key administrators of Tāmasa Manu’s era—leaders among the demigods, the Maruts, the Indra named Īśvara, and the seven sages headed by Jyotirdhāma.
He is mapping cosmic administration across time, showing how different empowered beings manage universal affairs in each manvantara under the Supreme Lord’s arrangement.
The verse encourages humility and faith: leadership and power change with time, but dharma and devotion remain the stable path for spiritual progress.