Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Account of the Manvantaras: Manus

Devanagari script

औत्तमीयं प्रवक्ष्यामि तथा मन्वन्तरं शुभम् मनुर्नामौत्तमिर्यत्र दश पुत्रानजीजनत् //

Transliteration

auttamīyaṃ pravakṣyāmi tathā manvantaraṃ śubham manurnāmauttamiryatra daśa putrānajījanat //

Translation

I shall now expound the auspicious Auttamīya Manvantara, wherein the Manu named Auttami begot ten sons.

Word by Word

• औत्तमीयम् (auttamīyam): pertaining to Auttama/Auttami

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I shall declare/explain

• तथा (tathā): and also/likewise

• मन्वन्तरम् (manvantaram): a Manvantara, the epoch of a Manu

• शुभम् (śubham): auspicious, beneficent

• मनुः (manuḥ): Manu, the progenitor/lawgiver

• नाम (nāma): named

• औत्तमिः (auttamiḥ): Auttami (name of Manu)

• यत्र (yatra): wherein/in which

• दश (daśa): ten

• पुत्रान् (putrān): sons

• अजीजनत् (ajījanat): begot, generated.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Auttami (Manu)
• Manvantara

Tags

• Manvantaras
• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Cosmic Cycles
• Puranic Chronology

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it introduces a Manvantara (a cosmic administrative epoch), situating events within the Purāṇic cycle of time that continues across creations and dissolutions.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

By foregrounding Manu and his lineage, the verse frames dharma as transmitted through progenitors—Manu functions as the archetypal lawgiver whose descendants populate and sustain social order, a key Purāṇic basis for royal and household duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its significance is chronological and genealogical, serving as an entry point to later prescriptions that are often organized by Manvantara-era contexts.