In Hindu mythology, Manu is a title accorded the progenitor of humankind, first holy king to rule this earth, the indo-European Noah who saves mankind and the Vedas and the priesthood from the universal flood. He is honest which is why he is called "Satyavrata", or faster on to the truth.

"And Manu was endued with great wisdom and devoted to virtue. And he became the progenitor of a line. And in Manu's race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called Manavas. And it is of Manu that all men including Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, and others have been descended, and are, therefore, all called Manavas. Subsequently, O monarch, the Brahmanas became united with the Kshatriyas. And those sons of Manu that were Brahmanas devoted themselves to the study of the Vedas."He has 10 sons these are the Aryans or kshatriyas:

"The ten sons of Manu are known as : Vena, Dhrishnu, Narishyan, Nabhaga, Ikshvaku, Karusha, Saryati, the eighth, a daughter named Ila, Prishadhru the ninth, and Nabhagarishta, the tenth. They all betook themselves to the practices of Kshatriyas. Besides these, Manu had fifty other sons on Earth.

During an eon called a Manvantara. 14 Manvantaras make up a Kalpa, a period corresponding to a day in the life of Brahma; each Manvantara is headed by a Manu, the 14 of which are:

1. Svayambhuva Manu
2. Svaracisa Manu
3. Uttama Manu
4. Tamasa Manu
5. Raivata Manu
6. Caksusa Manu
7. Vaivasvata Manu
8. Savarni Manu
9. Daksa Savarni Manu
10. Brahma Savarni Manu
11. Dharma Savarni Manu
12. Rudra Savarni Manu
13. Deva Savarni Manu
14. Indra Savarni Manu

As of 2004, we are in the 7th Manvantara headed by Vaivasvata Manu.

Manu is also the name of the author of the famous Manusmriti.

See also

• Metrics of time in Hinduism
• Manu Smriti
• Mannus Germanic sons of Manno

Manu Manu