Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 50, Shloka 13

Adhyaya 50 — Mind-Born Progeny, Svayambhuva Manu’s Lineage, and Brahmā’s Ordinance to Duḥsaha (Alakṣmī’s Retinue)

Sanskrit

ततो ब्रह्मात्मसम्भूतं पूर्वं स्वायम्भुवं प्रभुः ।

आत्मनः सदृशं कृत्वा प्रजापालो मनुं द्विज ॥

Transliteration

tato brahmātmasambhūtaṃ pūrvaṃ svāyambhuvaṃ prabhuḥ | ātmanaḥ sadṛśaṃ kṛtvā prajāpālo manuṃ dvija ||

Translation

பின்னர் அந்த பகவான், பிரம்மாவின் தன்னிலிருந்தே பிறந்த ஸ்வாயம்புவ மனுவை உருவாக்கி, தன்னைப் போன்றவனாக ஆக்கினான்—ஓ இருமுறை பிறந்தவனே, மனு உயிர்களின் காவலனும் ஆண்டவனும் ஆவான்।

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: अपादान/क्रम (Source/Sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; adverb (ablatival sense)

• ब्रह्मात्मसम्भूतम्: born from Brahmā’s self (self-born from Brahmā)
• ब्रह्मात्मसम्भूतम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + आत्मन् + सम्भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; accusative singular neuter; विशेषणम् (मनुम् इत्यस्य)

• पूर्वम्: formerly; first
• पूर्वम्: काल (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभावप्राय)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; adverb (time)

• स्वायम्भुवम्: Svāyambhuva (self-born)
• स्वायम्भुवम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वायम्भुव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine; विशेषणम् (मनुम्)

• प्रभुः: the Lord
• प्रभुः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; nominative singular masculine

• आत्मनः: of himself
• आत्मनः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे षष्ठी एकवचनम्; genitive singular masculine

• सदृशम्: similar, like
• सदृशम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine; विशेषणम् (मनुम्)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्तम् (gerund/absolutive); having made

• प्रजापालः: protector of creatures (Prajāpāla)
• प्रजापालः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; nominative singular masculine

• मनुम्: Manu
• मनुम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine

• द्विज: O twice-born (brāhmaṇa)
• द्विज: सम्बोधन (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे सम्बोधन एकवचनम्; vocative singular masculine

Speakers

• Narrative voice addressing a dvija (listener within the frame narrative)

Primary Deities

• Brahmā
• Svāyambhuva Manu

Key Themes

• Manvantara
• Genealogy
• Kingship as dharma
• Cosmic administration

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Political authority (Manu as prajāpāla) is sacralized as a duty to protect and sustain beings. The ideal ruler mirrors cosmic order rather than personal whim.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

Manvantara: explicit introduction of the Manu who governs a cycle; also Vaṃśa as the root of human royal lineages.

What is the esoteric significance?

‘Made similar to himself’ indicates delegated sovereignty: the cosmic mind externalizes governance into a representative principle (Manu) who embodies law (dharma) in time.