Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 2

Manvantara Administration: Appointment of Manus, Indras, and the Restoration of Dharma

Devanagari script

श्रीऋषिरुवाच मनवो मनुपुत्राश्च मुनयश्च महीपते । इन्द्रा: सुरगणाश्चैव सर्वे पुरुषशासना: ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-ṛṣir uvāca manavo manu-putrāś ca munayaś ca mahī-pate indrāḥ sura-gaṇāś caiva sarve puruṣa-śāsanāḥ

Translation

Шукадева Госвами сказал: О царь, Ману, сыновья Ману, великие мудрецы, Индры и все полубоги назначаются Верховной Личностью Бога (Бхагаваном) через Его воплощения, такие как Яджня.

Synonyms

• श्री-ऋषिः: the revered sage
• श्री-ऋषिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; ‘श्री’ honorific prefix

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• मनवः: the Manus
• मनवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• मनु-पुत्राः: sons of Manu
• मनु-पुत्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (manu’s sons)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction: “and”)

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• मही-पते: O king (lord of the earth)
• मही-पते: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक) + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (lord of the earth)

• इन्द्राः: Indras
• इन्द्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सुर-गणाः: hosts of gods
• सुर-गणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (groups of gods)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (particle: “indeed/just”)

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• पुरुष-शासनाः: ruled by the Supreme Person
• पुरुष-शासनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक) + शासन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष; विशेषण—‘पुरुषेण शासिताः/पुरुषस्य शासनं येषाम्’ (those under the Supreme Person’s rule)

Characters & Entities

• Manu
• Manus
• Indra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about who governs the Manus and Indras?

This verse states that Manus, their sons, sages, Indras, and all demigod groups function under the rule of the Supreme Person.

Why does the sage mention Manus, Indras, and demigods together in Canto 8 Chapter 14?

To emphasize that even the highest cosmic administrators are not independent; their authority and order ultimately rest upon the Supreme Lord’s governance.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

It encourages humility and devotion by reminding us that all power and leadership are accountable to a higher divine order, inspiring responsible action and surrender to God.