Shloka 4
स्वायम्भुव-मन्वन्तर-वंशवर्णनम्
Genealogy of Svāyambhuva Manu and the Dhruva Episode
स वै स्वायंभुवो जज्ञे पुरुषो मनुरुच्यते । तस्यैकसप्ततियुगं मन्वंतरमिहोच्यते
sa vai svāyaṃbhuvo jajñe puruṣo manurucyate | tasyaikasaptatiyugaṃ manvaṃtaramihocyate
Indeed the self-born progenitor came into being; he is called Manu. Here it is declared that his Manvantara consists of seventy-one yugas.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: manvantara-time reckoning: 71 yugas per manvantara
FAQs
It places human history within Shiva’s vast cosmic order: recognizing the Manvantara and yuga cycles cultivates detachment (vairagya) and steadiness in devotion to Pati (Shiva), who transcends time while governing it.
By showing that even Manu’s reign is measured and finite, the verse points the devotee toward the timeless refuge—Saguna Shiva worshiped as the Linga—through whom order (dharma) is sustained across cycles.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with contemplation on impermanence of yugas and Manvantaras, strengthening bhakti and inner renunciation.