Shloka 9
मन्वन्तर-क्रमः (अतीत-सप्तमन्वन्तराः) तथा मन्वन्तरावताराः
अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि मनोः स्वारोचिषस्य तु मन्वन्तराधिपान् सम्यग् देवर्षींस् तत्सुतांस् तथा
ata ūrdhvaṃ pravakṣyāmi manoḥ svārociṣasya tu manvantarādhipān samyag devarṣīṃs tatsutāṃs tathā
Now, hereafter, I shall set forth in proper order the rulers of the Manvantara of Svārociṣa Manu—along with the divine seers (devarṣi), and likewise the sons born in that epoch.
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Manvantara succession and the specific rulers (Indra), devarishis, and progeny in each epoch
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: authoritative
Creation Stage: Manvantara
Manvantara: Svarochisha
Concept: A Manvantara is defined not only by Manu but by its administrative and spiritual orders—Indra(s), devarishis, and progeny—each to be known in sequence.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: See society as sustained by layered stewardship—ethical leadership, spiritual counsel, and responsible lineage—then embody one’s role with discipline.
Vishishtadvaita: Multiplicity of divine offices (Indra, rishis) functions within a single Lord-governed unity, aligning plurality with dependence on Vishnu.
FAQs
This verse marks the structured transition into describing a specific Manvantara (Svārociṣa), showing how cosmic time is organized through recurring administrations of Manu, their rulers, sages, and progeny—an ordered sovereignty within Vishnu’s overarching cosmic order.
He presents it systematically: identifying the Manu of that cycle, then enumerating the presiding rulers (adhipas), the divine sages (devarṣis), and the sons—framing governance, spiritual authority, and lineage as interlinked components of dharma in that epoch.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Manvantara order described is traditionally understood as operating under Vishnu’s supreme sovereignty—time cycles, rulers, and sages function within the cosmic law sustained by the Supreme Reality.