Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 28

Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari

Gajendra Prelude

Devanagari script

सत्यका हरयो वीरा देवास्त्रिशिख ईश्वर: । ज्योतिर्धामादय: सप्त ऋषयस्तामसेऽन्तरे ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

satyakā harayo vīrā devās triśikha īśvaraḥ jyotirdhāmādayaḥ sapta ṛṣayas tāmase ’ntare

Translation

ତାମସ ମନୁଙ୍କ ଶାସନକାଳରେ ସତ୍ୟକ, ହରି ଓ ବୀର ନାମକ ଦେବଗଣ ଥିଲେ। ଇନ୍ଦ୍ର ଥିଲେ ତ୍ରିଶିଖ। ସେହି ମନ୍ୱନ୍ତରରେ ସପ୍ତର୍ଷି-ଧାମର ଋଷିମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଜ୍ୟୋତିର୍ଧାମ ଆଦି ପ୍ରମୁଖ ଥିଲେ।

Synonyms

• सत्यकाः: the Satyakas
• सत्यकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नाम (proper name of a class)

• हरयः: the Haris
• हरयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नाम (proper name/class)

• वीराः: heroes
• वीराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• त्रिशिखः: Triśikha
• त्रिशिखः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + शिख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (त्रयः शिखाः यस्य/त्रिशिखः = proper name)

• ईश्वरः: Īśvara
• ईश्वरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ज्योतिर्धाम-आदयः: Jyotirdhāma and others
• ज्योतिर्धाम-आदयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिर्/ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक) + धाम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (ज्योतिर्धामः आदिः येषाम् = 'Jyotirdhāma and others')

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः; बहुवचनार्थे विशेषणम्

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• तामसे: in the Tāmasa (period)
• तामसे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तामस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; 'in the Tāmasa (manvantara)'

• अन्तरे: during (the interval/period)
• अन्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; 'within/during'

Characters & Entities

• Tāmasa Manu
• Satyakā
• Harayas
• Triśikha
• Īśvara
• Jyotirdhāma

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Tāmasa Manu and his manvantara?

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.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī list the demigods, Indra, and sages in each manvantara?

He is mapping cosmic administration across time, showing how different empowered beings manage universal affairs in each manvantara under the Supreme Lord’s arrangement.

Practical application of manvantara teachings in modern life?

The verse encourages humility and faith: leadership and power change with time, but dharma and devotion remain the stable path for spiritual progress.