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Bhagavad-gītā 10.6

महर्षय: सप्‍त पूर्वे चत्वारो मनवस्तथा । मद्भ‍ावा मानसा जाता येषां लोक इमा: प्रजा: ॥ ६ ॥
maharṣayaḥ sapta pūrve
[maharshayah sapta poorve]
catvāro manavas tathā
[chatvaaro manavas tathaa]
mad-bhāvā mānasā jātā
[mad-bhaavaa maanasaa jaataa]
yeṣāṁ loka imāḥ prajāḥ
[yeshaam loka imaah prajaah]
Word-for-word
mahā - ṛṣayaḥ — the great sages sapta — seven pūrve — before catvāraḥ — four manavaḥ — Manus tathā — also mat - bhāvāḥ — born of Me mānasāḥ — from the mind jātāḥ — born yeṣām — of them loke — in the world imāḥ — all this prajāḥ — population .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
maharṣayaḥ sapta pūrve
mahā - ṛṣayaḥ
the great sages
sapta
seven
pūrve
before
catvāro manavas tathā
catvāraḥ
four
manavaḥ
Manus
tathā
also
mad-bhāvā mānasā jātā
mat - bhāvāḥ
born of Me
mānasāḥ
from the mind
jātāḥ
born
yeṣāṁ loka imāḥ prajāḥ
yeṣām
of them
loke
in the world
imāḥ
all this
prajāḥ
population .
Important Words
  • mahā - ṛṣayaḥ — the great sages
    Here specifically the saptarṣi — Bhṛgu, Marīci, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Pulaha, Pulastya, Kratu. Not human teachers but cosmic progenitors of knowledge. The verse traces their lineage one step further back, to the divine mind.
  • manavaḥ — Manus
    The fourteen Manus, one per manvantara, are the human race's seed-fathers. Naming them in the same breath as the sages establishes that both spiritual lineage and biological lineage originate from Kṛṣṇa.
  • mat - bhāvāḥ — born of Me
    Compound: mat (My) + bhāvāḥ (states of being, derivations). Not 'made by Me' as an external craftsman, but 'derived from My own nature.' The sages share Kṛṣṇa's substance, not merely His causation.
  • mānasāḥ — from the mind
    Mānasa-putra — mind-born sons. No womb, no copulation. The verse asserts a non-sexual, purely volitional mode of cosmic generation, distinguishing the foundational beings from their later descendants.
  • prajāḥ — population
    All living entities throughout the worlds. The verse builds a chain: Kṛṣṇa → sages and Manus → prajāḥ. Every being in the cosmos can trace ancestry through this two-step path back to the Lord.
The seven great sages and before them the four other great sages and the Manus [progenitors of mankind] come from Me, born from My mind, and all the living beings populating the various planets descend from them.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Even the cosmic progenitors — the seven ṛṣis, the four Sanaka-Sanātana sages preceding them, and the fourteen Manus — are mind-born emanations of Kṛṣṇa. Through this single genealogical chain He claims paternity of every population across the worlds.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
Purāṇic cosmology: the 'four earlier' are conventionally read as the Kumāras (Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanātana, Sanat-kumāra); the 'seven ṛṣis' head each manvantara; the Manus rule the world-ages. By calling them mānasa (mind-born) and mad-bhāva (sharing His nature), Kṛṣṇa secures both their dignity and their derivation. Cross-ref BG 4.1 (paramparā traced back to Vivasvān and to Kṛṣṇa Himself).
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
सप्त महर्षयः, पूर्वे चत्वारः, तथा मनवः — (एते) मद्-भावाः मानसाः जाताः, येषां इमाः लोके प्रजाः (सन्ति) ।
sapta maharṣayaḥ, pūrve catvāraḥ, tathā manavaḥ — (ete) mad-bhāvāḥ mānasāḥ jātāḥ, yeṣāṃ imāḥ loke prajāḥ (santi) |
The seven great sages, the four ancients (preceding them), and likewise the Manus — these, sharing My nature, are born from (My) mind, and from them are all these creatures in the world.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
महर्षयः सप्त पूर्वे चत्वारः मनवः तथा । मद्-भावाः मानसाः जाताः येषां लोके इमाः प्रजाः ॥
maharṣayaḥ sapta pūrve catvāraḥ manavaḥ tathā | mad-bhāvāḥ mānasāḥ jātāḥ yeṣāṃ loke imāḥ prajāḥ ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
महर्षयः maharṣayaḥ महर्षि (m.) nom.pl. (nominative plural) great sages
सप्त sapta सप्तन् (num.) nom. seven
पूर्वे pūrve पूर्व (adj.) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. the earlier ones
चत्वारः catvāraḥ चतुर् (num.) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. four
मनवः manavaḥ मनु (m.) nom.pl. (nominative plural) Manus
तथा tathā ind. (indeclinable), conjunction likewise
मद्-भावाः mad-bhāvāḥ मद् + भाव (m.) nom.pl. (nominative plural), bahuvrīhi cpd. (compound) of My nature, partaking My being
मानसाः mānasāḥ मानस (adj.) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. born of mind, mental
जाताः jātāḥ √जन् p.p.p. (past passive participle) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. born
येषाम् yeṣām यद् gen.pl. (genitive plural)m. of whom
लोके loke लोक (m.) loc.sg. (locative singular) in the world
इमाः imāḥ इदम् (dem. (demonstrative)) nom.pl. (nominative plural)f. these
प्रजाः prajāḥ प्रजा (f.) nom.pl. (nominative plural) creatures, progeny
Purport

The Lord is giving a genealogical synopsis of the universal population. Brahmā is the original creature born out of the energy of the Supreme Lord, who is known as Hiraṇyagarbha. And from Brahmā all the seven great sages, and before them four other great sages, named Sanaka, Sananda, Sanātana and Sanat-kumāra, and the fourteen Manus, are manifested. All these twenty-five great sages are known as the patriarchs of the living entities all over the universe. There are innumerable universes and innumerable planets within each universe, and each planet is full of population of different varieties. All of them are born of these twenty-five patriarchs. Brahmā underwent penance for one thousand years of the demigods before he realized by the grace of Kṛṣṇa how to create. Then from Brahmā came Sanaka, Sananda, Sanātana and Sanat-kumāra, then Rudra, and then the seven sages, and in this way all the brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas are born out of the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Brahmā is known as Pitāmaha, the grandfather, and Kṛṣṇa is known as Prapitāmaha, the father of the grandfather. That is stated in the Eleventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā (11.39) .

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
6. The seven great sages, and before them, the four Kumāras, and the fourteen Manus, whose descendants are the people of this world, arose from Me, from My mind.
Commentary

Not having mentioned that intelligence, knowledge and non-bewilderment cannot give real knowledge of the Lord, the Lord in this verse states that these things cannot give true knowledge of the Lord. The seven great sages beginning with Marīci, [Note: The seven sages are Bhṛgu, Marīci, Atri, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Vasiṣṭha.] the four Kumāras such as Sanaka, and the fourteen Manus beginning with Svāyambhuva, take birth from Me in the form of Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā). They arose from My mind. The brāhmaṇas and others exist as the offspring, sons and grandsons, or students, and students of students of the seven sages, the four Kumāras and the Manus. [Note: Because all of these persons with great intelligence and wisdom arise from the Lord, they cannot understand about the Lord.]

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
6. The seven great sages, and before them, the four Kumāras, and the fourteen Manus, whose descendants are the people of this world, arose from My mind, and engaged their minds in Me.
Commentary

Here the Lord continues in the same vein. The seven great sages, [Note: The seven sages are listed as Bhṛgu, Marīci, Atri, Pulastya, Pulāha, Kratu and Vasiṣṭha.] starting from Bhṛgu, and previous to them, the first four sages, headed by Sanaka, making a total of eleven, and as well, the fourteen Manus starting with Svāyambhuva, making a total of twenty-five persons, were born from My mind and other organs of My form of Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā). [Note: This is narrated in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.12. Nārada was born from the deliberation of Brahmā, which is the best part of the body. Vasiṣṭha was born from his breathing, Dakṣa from his thumb, Bhṛgu from his touch, and Kratu from his hand. Pulastya was generated from the ears, Aṅgirā from the mouth, Atri from the eyes, Marīci from the mind and Pulaha from the navel of Brahmā. ….Sage Kardama, husband of the great Devahūti, was manifested from the shadow of Brahmā. Thus all became manifested from either the body or the mind of Brahmā.

Bhūrijana Dāsa Gauḍīya
Translation
The seven great sages and before them the four other great sages and the Manus [progenitors of mankind] come from Me, born from My mind, and all the living beings populating the various planets descend from them. (com) "By these qualities above, I can't be known, but not only that the great sages, manus, rsis cannot know Me because they are born from Me." From Marici and Kumaras all progeny come (family dynasty by birth and guru disciple [Kumaras]). Baladev: "Just as all these qualities come from Me, these people also come from Me. Seven great sages, four Kumaras, 14 manus, these 25 created all progeny. They are born from Brahma and Brahma born by My desire. They meditate on Me and by My potency they gain knowledge. From these 25, brahmanas and ksatriyas have birth as sons or disciples."
Commentary

What is the result of knowing Krsna? And one cannot do it by his own effort? By hearing from Him (He already mentioned in the previous chapters), one can know Him, know His transcendental position. What is the result of hearing from Krsna not enviously and faithfully?

[3. Those who know Krsna's glories engage in His service. (7) ]

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

He is the source of all

He is the source of all great sages, Manus and all living entities
Thus Lord gives genealogical synopsis of universal population

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 10.6 & 10.7: Srila Prabhupada mentions that the twenty-five persons spoken of in

this verse (eleven sages and fourteen Manus) are the source of all progeny in the universe. Even these

exalted personalities can accurately learn about Krishna only by hearing directly from Him or His

devotees.

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
10.6 Sapta, the seven; maharsayah, great sages-Bhrgu and others; tatha, as also; catvarah, the four; manavah, Manus [Savarni, Dharma-savarini, Daksa-savarni, and Savarna.-Tr.]- well known as Savarnas; purve, of ancient days; yesam, of whom, of which Manus and the great sages; imah, these; prajah, creatures, moving and non-moving; loke in the world, are the creation; madbhavah, had their thoughts fixed on Me-they had their minds fixed on Me, (and hence) they were endowed with the power of Visnu; and they jatah, were born; manasa; from My mind-they were created by Me through My mind itself.
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
10.6 'The seven great Rsis of yore', namely, those seven great Rsis like Bhrgu etc., were from the mind of Brahma in the cycle of the past Manu to perpetuate the creation permanently; and the four Manas called the sons of Savarna existed for the work of eternal sustentation. All creatures in the world are their progeny. So they are the generators of this progeny as also their sustainers till the time of Pralaya. These Bhrgu etc., and the Manus, derive their mental condition from Me. Their disposition is My disposition - they subsist on My disposition. The meaning is they follow My will.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
10.6 See Comment under 10.11
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
10.6 The seven great sages, the ancient four and also the Manus, possessed of powers like Me (on account of their minds being fixed on Me), were born of (My) mind; from them are these creatures born in this world.
Commentary

10.6 महर्षयः the great Rishis? सप्त seven? पूर्वे ancient? चत्वारः four? मनवः Manus? तथा also? मद्भावाः possessed of powers like Me? मानसाः from mind? जाताः born? येषाम् from whom? लोके in world? इमाः these? प्रजाः creatures. Commentary In the beginning I was alone and from Me came the mind and from the mind were produced the seven sages (such as Bhrigu? Vasishtha and others)? the ancient four Kumaras (Sanaka? Sanandana? Sanatkumara and Sanatsujata)? as well as the four Manus of the past ages known as Savarnis? all of whom directed their thoughts to Me exclusively and were therefore endowed with divine powers and supreme wisdom.The four Kumaras (chaste? ascetic youths) declined to marry and create offspring. They preferred to remain perpetual celibates and to practise BrahmaVichara or profound meditation on Brahman or the Absolute.They were all created by Me? by mind alone. They were all mindborn sons of Brahma. They were not born from the womb like ordinary mortals. Manavah? men? the present inhabitants of this world? are the sons of Manu. The Manus are the mindborn sons of God. These creatures which consist of the moving and the unmoving beings are born of the seven great sages and the four Manus. The great sages were original teaches of BrahmaVidya or the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads. The Manus were the rulers of men. They framed the code or rules of conduct or the laws of Dharma for the guidance and uplift of humanity.The seven great sages represent the seven planes also. In the macrocosm? Mahat or cosmic Buddhi? Ahamkara or the cosmic egoism and the five Tanmatras or the five rootelements of which the five great elements? viz.? earth? water? fire? air and ether are the gross forms? represent the seven great sages. This gross universe with the moving and the unmoving beings and the subtle inner world have come out of the above seven principles. In mythology or the Puranic terminology these seven principles have been symbolised and give human names. Bhrigu? Marichi? Atri? Pulastya? Pulaha? Kratu and Vasishtha are the seven great sages.In the microcosm? Manas (mind)? Buddhi (intellect)? Chitta (subconsciousness) and Ahamkara (egoism) have been symbolised as the four Manus and given human names. The first group forms the base of the macrocosm. The second group forms the base of the microcosm (individuals). These two groups constitute this vast universe of sentient life.Madbhava with their being in Me? of My nature.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
10.6 The seven great sages as also the four Manus of anceint days, of whom are these creatures in the world, had their thoughts fixed on Me, and they were born from My mind.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
10.6 The seven Great Seers,* the Progenitors of mankind, the Ancient Four,** and the Lawgivers were born of My Will and come forth direct from Me. The race of mankind has sprung from them. [* Mareechi, Atri, Angira, Pulah, Kratu, Pulastya, Vahishta. ** The Masters: Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatan, Sanatkumar.]
Related values & verses
Related values
Tyaga (Renunciation / Letting Go)Karuna (Kindness / Compassion)Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Maitri (Friendship / Goodwill)
Related verses
BG 10.2 BG 4.1 BG 14.3 SB 3.12.23 SB 2.6.44 SB 8.1.5 CC Madhya 20.271 CC Madhya 22.7 CC Ādi 2.95 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 1.1.1Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 2.4.10
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The seven great sages and four Manus — all originate in Me; all populations come from them.
Practical Applications
  • Honor the lineage — even great sages have a source.
  • Recognize traditions as descending, not invented.
  • Don't approach Vedic culture as folklore.
Reflection Questions
  • Where have I treated tradition as folklore?
  • What restores its dignity as descending knowledge?
Analogy

From a single thought of an architect, an entire city of buildings, streets, and parks unfolds — and from those structures, in turn, all the lives lived within. So from Kṛṣṇa's mind first sprang the great sages and the Manus, and from them the populations of all the worlds.

Stories
Manu and the fish

Vaivasvata Manu, one of the fourteen progenitors named in this verse-class, was performing his morning ablutions in a stream when a tiny fish leapt into his palm and begged protection. He moved it to a pot, then a tank, then a lake, then the sea — at each stage the fish outgrew the vessel.

Finally the fish revealed itself as Matsya, an avatāra of Viṣṇu, and instructed Manu to build a boat for the coming dissolution. From that one preserved Manu the next cycle of humanity descended. The verse's claim that the Manus are 'mat-bhāvāḥ' — born of Me — is the Matsya-līlā in compact form.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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