Vaivasvata

Vaivasvata, in Hindu mythology, is the name most often associated with Vaivasvata Manu, the seventh Manu and the current Manu in Hindu cosmology. The name means “son of Vivasvat,” with Vivasvat being a sun deity. As such, Vaivasvata Manu is regarded as the progenitor of the present human race within the Vaivasvata manvantara, a subdivision of the larger cosmic cycle known as a kalpa.

In traditional accounts, Vaivasvata Manu presides over the current manvantara, guiding lawful conduct and social order for humanity. He is commonly linked to the Solar dynasty (Suryavansha) through his lineage, and in several texts his son Ikshvaku is described as the founder of the Ikshvaku dynasty, a royal line that features prominently in legends about Ayodhya and other kingdoms. The genealogies and exact lineages vary across sources, but his central role as custodian of human affairs during this era is consistent.

A defining episode associated with Vaivasvata Manu is the great flood that marks the end of the current cosmic cycle. According to various Purana narratives and the Mahabharata, the Matsya avatar of Vishnu warns Manu of an impending deluge. Following divine instruction, Manu builds a boat and saves the seeds of all living beings, along with sages and crucial specimens of flora and fauna. After the flood subsides, order is restored and Vaivasvata Manu’s lineage continues, providing a fresh start for humanity.

Vaivasvata Manu and the term Vaivasvata are integral to discussions of Hindu cosmology, the manvantaras, and the legendary origins of the Solar dynasty within ancient Indian literature.