3

pauṇḍrakāścauḍradraviḍāḥ kāmbojā yavanāḥ śakāḥ |  pāradāpahlavāścīnāḥ kirātā daradāḥ khaśāḥ || 44 ||

The Puṇḍrakas, the Coḍas, the Draviḍas, the Kāmbojas, the Yavanas, the Śākas, the Pāradas, the Pahlavas, the Cīnas, the Kirātas, the Daradas and the Khaśas.—(44)

The yavanas and sakas are said to be son of yayati the king of lunar dynasty, but manu was the first person in the world how does he know people of these tribes when lunar dynasty was not even established? Is the reson given in any scripture.

5
  • 1
    'at the time of manu' - what is the time of Manu according to you? Sep 15, 2018 at 0:10
  • @sv. Well vedas are eternal and they also mention these tribes so i think they will be known to manu of each kalpa too.
    – Anisha
    Sep 15, 2018 at 6:47
  • 'manu of each kalpa' - since we are dealing with multiple Manus this is a mythological question and not a historical question? then you should add 'mythology' tag although 'smriti', 'dharma-shastras' and 'mythology' together don't seem like a good combination. Sep 17, 2018 at 0:51
  • I believe the assumption here is that this was Swayambhu Manu who gave these laws but what if the laws are of Vaivasvat Manu that would make these kings quite well known to him. Sep 19, 2018 at 6:34
  • The current version of Manu Smriti was recompiled in Vaivasvat Manvantra by Svāyambhuva and Bhrigu though rules were created in first Manvantra itself...but as it was recompiled, references of Vaivasvat Manvantra tribes is not a surprise... If we read first few chapters it would be clear I think...
    – YDS
    Sep 19, 2018 at 8:59

2 Answers 2

3

I believe the assumption here is that this was Swayambhu Manu who gave these laws but what if the laws are of Vaivasvat Manu that would make these kings quite well known to him.

The very First chapter of Manu Smriti actually mentions that there have been seven Manus indicating that it was probably a work of the seventh Manu:

  1. Then that great sage Bhrigu, being thus addressed by Manu, spoke, pleased in his heart, to all the sages, 'Listen!'

  2. Six other high-minded, very powerful Manus, who belong to the race of this Manu, the descendant of the Self-existent (Svayambhu), and who have severally produced created beings,

  3. (Are) Svarokisha, Auttami, Tamasa, Raivata, Kakshusha, possessing great lustre, and the son of Vivasvat.

  4. These seven very glorious Manus, the first among whom is Svayambhuva, produced and protected this whole movable and immovable (creation), each during the period (allotted to him).

1
  • "what if the laws are of Vaivasvat Manu" - I think it's not the case...the laws are of Swayambhu Manu...just read the 61 verse, it says six others and Of this...Of this - the Manu before their (Bhrigu's and other sages) eyes i.e. Svāyambhuva...if we read Manu Smriti since it's first verse then the context would be clear...But we can clearly say that the current version was recompiled in Vaivasvat Manvantra by Svāyambhuva though rules were created in first Manvantra itself..previous Manu remain alive it seems...In SB, we have reference of Raivata visiting earth in current Manvantra..
    – YDS
    Sep 19, 2018 at 8:56
1

If we read initial chapters of Manu Smriti then Manu told other sages that He taught the rules (Manu Smriti) to sage Bhrigu and now he will explain them to you.

In Manu Smriti 1.61, sage Bhrigu said:

स्वायम्भुवस्यास्य मनोः षड्वंश्या मनवोऽपरे ।

सृष्टवन्तः प्रजाः स्वाः स्वा महात्मानो महौजसः ॥ ६१ ॥

There are Six other Manus, high-souled and mighty, who belong to the same race as this Svāyambhuva Manu, and have called into being, each his own offsprings.

In further verses other Manus names also given which means Manu Smriti was recompiled in Vaivasvat Manvantra by Svāyambhuva and Bhrigu though it was created in first Manvantra itself. As it was recompiled in Vaivasvat Manvantra, mention of tribes from this Manvantra not a surprise. On top of that these tribes might have existed in earlier Manvantras too. The thing is, it can have mention of all tribes which happened till current Manvantra and sometimes scriptures mention important things from next Manvantras too.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .