Shloka 2
The Dynasty of Vaivasvata Manu Begins — Ilā/Sudyumna and the Birth of Purūravā
योऽसौ सत्यव्रतो नाम राजर्षिर्द्रविडेश्वर: । ज्ञानं योऽतीतकल्पान्ते लेभे पुरुषसेवया ॥ २ ॥ स वै विवस्वत: पुत्रो मनुरासीदिति श्रुतम् । त्वत्तस्तस्य सुता:प्रोक्ता इक्ष्वाकुप्रमुखा नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥
yo ’sau satyavrato nāma rājarṣir draviḍeśvaraḥ jñānaṁ yo ’tīta-kalpānte lebhe puruṣa-sevayā
Satyavrata, the saintly king and ruler of Draviḍadeśa, received spiritual knowledge at the end of the previous kalpa by serving Purusottama. In the next manvantara he became Vaivasvata Manu, son of Vivasvān—so I have heard from you. I also understand that kings such as Ikṣvāku were his sons, as you have already explained.
FAQs
This verse states that Satyavrata attained transcendental knowledge specifically through puruṣa-sevā—devotional service to the Supreme Person—showing bhakti as a direct means to realized wisdom.
Satyavrata is the royal sage who later becomes known as Vaivasvata Manu; he is important because he stands at the beginning of the prominent human dynasty described in Canto 9.
Cultivate steady service to God—such as hearing scripture, chanting, worship, and selfless duty—so that spiritual understanding matures from practice rather than theory alone.