( The 'n' in this name is pronounced like 'n' in 'one' .)
Manu was son of Brahma. In fact , there are fourteen of them, one after the other will have their turns to rule over the worlds. Till now, six terms of six Manus are over, The seventh one Vyvasvatha's term is now going on.
In each term, the corresponding Manu takes care of the administartion of the world by prescribing the law and order rules. The code of law and justice prescribed by Manu is known as Manusmrithi or Manu's Code (smrithi means code). When the term of one manu ends, the next Manu starts his term.
To know clearly about the term ( or Anthara. hence Manvanthara= manu's term), we should know about the various durations detailed in the creation and destruction process.
First let us know the names of the fourteen Manus.
Now for a brief look at the duration of their terms.
Our ancestors measured the time from the beginning of the creation to its end. According to that measure, the creation and with it the time measure, starts from that point when all the nine planets of our solar family are in the first quadrant of the first star ( Ashvini, first of 27 stars, each having 4 quadrants, totalling to 108, which form 12 raashis or constellations - of 9 quadrants each - Mesha( aries) from Meena (pisces) ). The full period taken for all the planets to come to the first quadrant of the firat star is reckoned as a kalpa ( cycle ). This is said to be one day-time to Brahma. Each kalpa witnesses terms of 14 Manus. And after destruction also, an equal time period elapses before another creation takes place. This cycle is said to be one night-time to Brahma. Thus, Brahma's full day comprises two kalpas. A thousandth part of one Kalpa is a Full-Age, 71 times of which is a Manu-Term.
The simpler presentation of the time division is as following. Yuga means an age.
year means solar year.
The Kritha yuga consists of 17 28 000 years. ( Also called Sathya yuga)
The creation starts at the beginning of Brahma's day, closes by its end. During Brahma's night it is all dark and water. At the end of night, again the creation starts. A Brahma's term is 100 years made of those Brahma days. The first half of the term is called Poorvaartha and the second half is called Uththaraartha. Presently, the first half of current brahma's term is over and the second half is in progress. After his 100 years, another Brahma takes on the creation. Our tradition says that Brahmas are nine in number.
During the term of each Manu, the portfolios are undertaken by different persons. The gods change, their leader (Indra) changes, the seven sages change, the rulers of the mortals change etc. The seven names of the seven sages of each Manu are as below, as also given in the link 'sages' . As to the names of the corresponding kings and indras , please refer to Mahaabhaagavatham. For further minute details of our time division, refer to any almanac ( panchaangam). Remember, the names differ from text to text, due to errors and variations.
Now, the seventh term i.e. of Vyvasvatha manu is running. That is why we recite ' in the term of Vyvasvatha Manu ' before starting any religious cermony while quoting the place and time of the performance.
The Thretha yuga consists of 12 96 000 years.
The dvaapara yuga consists of 8 64 000 years.
The kali yuga consists of 4 32 000 years.
A cycle of all these four ages ( 43 20 000 years) is called a Mahaa-yuga ( Full-Age). 71 such Maha yugas make a Manu-Term (30 67 20 000 human years) . Between every two Manu-terms, a period equal to Krtha yuga occurs with the name of yuga-sandhya ( or mid-term). An equal term,Kalpaadi Sandhya, so occurs before the start of the first Kalpa too. Thus,all the fourteen terms of the fourteen Manus together with the mid-term durations and Kalpaadi Sandhya, make one Kalpa ( 4 32 00 00 000 human years.), which is one day ( like our 12 hour-day) to Brahma ( Another period of same duration makes on night(lie our 12 hour-night) for Brahma.
Name of each Manu Names of the corresponding seven sages of each term Svaayambhuva Mareechi,Athri,Angiras,Pulasthya,Pulaha,Krathu,Vasishtha. Svaarochishaa Oorjas,Sthambha,Praana,Daththaali,Rishabha,Neevaara,Arivaan. Uththama EEsha,Oorja,Bhhorja,Madhu,Maadhava,Nabhasya,Saha. Thaamasa Jyothisdhaama,Prithu,Gaavyarshi,Chaithanya,Agni,Balaaka,Pepara Ryvatha Hiranyaroma,Vedashree,Oordhvabaahu,Vasishtha,Vedabaahu,Sudaama,Parjanya . Chaakshusha Sumegha,Virajas,Haridvaan,Unnatha,Madhu,Sahishnu,Vimala. Vyvasvatha Athri,Vasishtha,Kashyapa,Gouthama,Vishvaamithra,Bharadvaaja,Jamadagni. Sooryasaavarni Gaalava,Deepthimaan,Parashuraama,Ashvaththaama,Kripa,Rishyashrings,Vyaasa. Dakshasaavarni Medhaathithi,Vasu,Sathya,Jyothishmaan,Savana,Havyavaahana. Brahmasaavarni Apobhoothi,Havishman,Sumathi,Sathya,Naabhaaga,Aprathima,Vasishtha. Dharmasaavarni Havishmaan,Drishti,Vasishtha,Aruni,Nishchara,Anagha,Vishteeya. Rudrasaavarni Dyuthi,Thapasvi,Suthapa,Thapomoorthi,Thaporathi,Thaponidhi,Thapodhrithi. Devasaavarni Dhrithimaan,Niruchchaka,Thathvadarshi,Nirmoha,Suthapa,Nishtrakuva,Thapa. Indrasaavarni Agneedhra,Agnibaahu,Shuchi,Mukhya,Maadhava,Shuka,Ajitha. "After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."
DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA