Chapter 13 · Class prep
A printable handout for teaching this chapter. For each verse with Personal Guidance, you'll see Prabhupāda's translation, the essence, two or three practical applications, and a discussion prompt. Press ⌘P / Ctrl P to print as a handout.
BG 13.1
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The present Manu, who is named Śrāddhadeva, is the son of Vivasvān, the predominating deity on the sun planet. Śrāddhadeva is the seventh Manu. Now please hear from me as I describe his sons.
Essence. The present Manu, Śrāddhadeva, is the seventh — son of Vivasvān, the sun-god. The Bhāgavatam locates us cosmically; we are not in the only Manu's reign that ever was. Time-scale humility is a starting point for devotion.
BG 13.2-3
O King Parīkṣit, among the ten sons of Manu are Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, Nariṣyanta and Nābhāga. The seventh son is known as Diṣṭa. Then come Tarūṣa and Pṛṣadhra, and the tenth son is known as Vasumān.
Essence. Ten sons of the present Manu, each named — Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, and others. Genealogies are not boring data; they are reminders that real persons stood at every link of dharma's continuation. We inherit a lineage.
BG 13.4
In this manvantara, O King, the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Viśvedevas, the Maruts, the two Aśvinī-kumāra brothers and the Ṛbhus are the demigods. Their head king [Indra] is Purandara.
Essence. The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Viśvedevas, Maruts, Aśvinīs, and Ṛbhus are the demigods; Purandara is Indra. Each age has its specific cast of cosmic functionaries. Spiritual administration is not generic — it is named, dated, particular.
BG 13.5
Kaśyapa, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, Gautama, Jamadagni and Bharadvāja are known as the seven sages.
Essence. Kaśyapa, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Viśvāmitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadvāja are the seven sages of this manvantara. The pillars of spiritual instruction in this age are these seven. Wisdom flows through specific lineages; nameless 'wisdom' is rare.
BG 13.6
In this manvantara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared as the youngest of all the Ādityas, known as Vāmana, the dwarf. His father was Kaśyapa and His mother Aditi.
Essence. In this manvantara, the Lord appeared as Vāmana — the youngest of the Ādityas, son of Kaśyapa and Aditi. The Lord enters time and lineage on dharma's schedule. He chose a specific mother, father, and form. The local matters to Him.
BG 13.7
I have briefly explained to you the position of the seven Manus. Now I shall describe the future Manus, along with the incarnations of Lord Viṣṇu.
Essence. Now I shall describe the future Manus, along with the Lord's incarnations. The Bhāgavatam confidently foretells what is millions of years ahead. Śāstra speaks of past, present, and future as one continuous fabric.
BG 13.8
O King, I have previously described [in the Sixth Canto] the two daughters of Viśvakarmā, named Saṁjñā and Chāyā, who were the first two wives of Vivasvān.
Essence. Vivasvān's first two wives, Saṁjñā and Chāyā, were already described in the sixth canto. The Bhāgavatam refers back to itself — internal coherence across cantos. The teaching is whole, not fragmented.
BG 13.9
It is said that the sun-god had a third wife, named Vaḍavā. Of the three wives, the wife named Saṁjñā had three children — Yama, Yamī and Śrāddhadeva. Now let me describe the children of Chāyā.
Essence. The third wife, Vaḍavā; Saṁjñā's children: Yama, Yamī, and Śrāddhadeva. Even cosmic administration runs through ordinary household structures — wives, sons, daughters. The home is not separate from the cosmos.
BG 13.10
Chāyā had a son named Sāvarṇi and a daughter named Tapatī, who later became the wife of King Saṁvaraṇa. Chāyā’s third child is known as Śanaiścara [Saturn]. Vaḍavā gave birth to two sons, namely the Aśvinī brothers.
Essence. Chāyā bore Sāvarṇi, Tapatī, and Śanaiścara (Saturn); Vaḍavā bore the Aśvinīs. The harsh Saturn and the healing Aśvinīs come from different mothers of the same father. Diverse outcomes arise from the same source — character is not determined by patrimony alone.
BG 13.11
O King, when the period of the eighth Manu arrives, Sāvarṇi will become the Manu. Nirmoka and Virajaska will be among his sons.
Essence. When the eighth Manu's period arrives, Sāvarṇi will rule; Nirmoka and Virajaska will be his sons. Śāstra foretells what will happen millions of years hence. The future is not blank to the seer; it is part of the Lord's already-known plan.
BG 13.12
In the period of the eighth Manu, among the demigods will be the Sutapās, the Virajas and the Amṛtaprabhas. The king of the demigods, Indra, will be Bali Mahārāja, the son of Virocana.
Essence. In the eighth manvantara, Bali Mahārāja will be Indra. The defeated demon king of today becomes the king of heaven tomorrow. Defeat by the Lord does not end one's career; sometimes it elevates it spectacularly.
BG 13.13
Bali Mahārāja gave a gift of three paces of land to Lord Viṣṇu, and because of this charity he lost all the three worlds. Later, however, when Lord Viṣṇu is pleased because of Bali’s giving everything to Him, Bali Mahārāja will achieve the perfection of life.
Essence. Bali gave three paces and lost all three worlds — yet by giving everything to the Lord, he achieved life's perfection. Total loss to the Lord is total gain. Real siddhi is His favor, not the eight yogic powers.
BG 13.14
With great affection, the Personality of Godhead bound Bali and then installed him in the kingdom of Sutala, which is more opulent than the heavenly planets. Mahārāja Bali now resides on that planet and is more comfortably situated than Indra.
Essence. With great affection the Lord bound Bali and installed him in Sutala — more opulent than heaven. Bali now lives more comfortably than Indra. What looks like punishment turns out, in the Lord's hands, to be promotion through binding.
BG 13.15-16
O King, during the eighth manvantara, the great personalities Gālava, Dīptimān, Paraśurāma, Aśvatthāmā, Kṛpācārya, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga and our father, Vyāsadeva, the incarnation of Nārāyaṇa, will be the seven sages. For the present, they are all residing in their respective āśramas.
Essence. Gālava, Dīptimān, Paraśurāma, Aśvatthāmā, Kṛpā, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, and Vyāsadeva will be the seven sages of the eighth manvantara — and they currently reside in their āśramas. Future cosmic functionaries are present persons already. The future is being prepared now.
BG 13.17
In the eighth manvantara, the greatly powerful Personality of Godhead Sārvabhauma will take birth. His father will be Devaguhya, and His mother will be Sarasvatī. He will take the kingdom away from Purandara [Lord Indra] and give it to Bali Mahārāja.
Essence. Sārvabhauma will be born, take the kingdom from Purandara, and give it to Bali. The Lord's eventual gift to a long-defeated devotee is rule itself. He arranges the long arc; rewards may take ages but are precise.
BG 13.18
O King, the ninth Manu will be Dakṣa-sāvarṇi, who is born of Varuṇa. Among his sons will be Bhūtaketu, and Dīptaketu.
Essence. The ninth Manu will be Dakṣa-sāvarṇi, born of Varuṇa, with sons Bhūtaketu and Dīptaketu. Each manvantara has its named ruling family, born of specific divine parents. Cosmic administration runs by lineage.
BG 13.19
In this ninth manvantara, the Pāras and Marīcigarbhas will be among the demigods. The king of heaven, Indra, will be named Adbhuta, and Dyutimān will be among the seven sages.
Essence. The Pāras and Marīcigarbhas will be demigods; Adbhuta will be Indra; Dyutimān will be among sages. Each era is fully staffed by name. The cosmos is administered, not anarchic.
BG 13.20
Ṛṣabhadeva, a partial incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will take birth from his father, Āyuṣmān, and his mother, Ambudhārā. He will enable the Indra named Adbhuta to enjoy the opulence of the three worlds.
Essence. Ṛṣabhadeva, partial incarnation, will be born of Āyuṣmān and Ambudhārā, and enable Adbhuta-Indra to enjoy three worlds. Even partial incarnations have specific parents and specific tasks. Nothing in His descent is approximate.
BG 13.21
The son of Upaśloka known as Brahma-sāvarṇi will be the tenth Manu. Bhūriṣeṇa will be among his sons, and the brāhmaṇas headed by Haviṣmān will be the seven sages.
Essence. The tenth Manu, Brahma-sāvarṇi, son of Upaśloka; Bhūriṣeṇa among sons; Haviṣmān leading the sages. Every Manu has his named team. We do not enter a position alone; we enter with our cast.
BG 13.22
Haviṣmān, Sukṛta, Satya, Jaya, Mūrti and others will be the seven sages, the Suvāsanas and Viruddhas will be among the demigods, and Śambhu will be their king, Indra.
Essence. Sages Haviṣmān, Sukṛta, Satya, Jaya, Mūrti; demigods the Suvāsanas and Viruddhas; Indra named Śambhu. Each name signals a virtue or quality. Names in śāstra are descriptions; we are meant to read them.
BG 13.23
In the home of Viśvasraṣṭā, a plenary portion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear from the womb of Viṣūcī as the incarnation known as Viṣvaksena. He will make friends with Śambhu.
Essence. Viṣvaksena, plenary portion of the Lord, will appear from Viṣūcī's womb in Viśvasraṣṭā's home and befriend Śambhu. The incarnation makes friends with the Indra. Divine activity always includes relationships, not just acts.
BG 13.24
In the eleventh manvantara, the Manu will be Dharma-sāvarṇi, who will be extremely learned in spiritual knowledge. From him there will come ten sons, headed by Satyadharma.
Essence. The eleventh Manu, Dharma-sāvarṇi, will be extremely learned in spiritual knowledge, with ten sons headed by Satyadharma. Even in future ages, dharma-learning remains the chief qualification of a Manu. The criteria do not change.
BG 13.25
The Vihaṅgamas, Kāmagamas, Nirvāṇarucis and others will be the demigods. The king of the demigods, Indra, will be Vaidhṛta, and the seven sages will be headed by Aruṇa.
Essence. Vihaṅgamas, Kāmagamas, Nirvāṇarucis among demigods; Vaidhṛta as Indra; Aruṇa heading the sages. Even the names of future eras' staff are known. The Lord's plan is detailed; nothing in it is improvisational.
BG 13.26
The son of Āryaka known as Dharmasetu, a partial incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will appear from the womb of Vaidhṛtā, the wife of Āryaka, and will rule the three worlds.
Essence. Dharmasetu, a partial incarnation of the Lord, will appear from Vaidhṛtā and rule three worlds. Even partial incarnations rule three worlds. We undercount the power of seemingly small divine appearances.
BG 13.27
O King, the twelfth Manu will be named Rudra-sāvarṇi. Devavān, Upadeva and Devaśreṣṭha will be among his sons.
Essence. The twelfth Manu will be Rudra-sāvarṇi, with sons Devavān, Upadeva, and Devaśreṣṭha. Even named Rudra-derived dynasties continue dharma's work. Lineages of fierceness can also be lineages of order.
BG 13.28
In this manvantara, the name of Indra will be Ṛtadhāmā, and the demigods will be headed by the Haritas. Among the sages will be Tapomūrti, Tapasvī and Āgnīdhraka.
Essence. Indra will be Ṛtadhāmā; demigods led by the Haritas; sages Tapomūrti, Tapasvī, Āgnīdhraka. The name Ṛtadhāmā means 'whose abode is cosmic order.' Names tell us what the Lord values in His chosen administrators.
BG 13.29
From the mother named Sunṛtā and the father named Satyasahā will come Svadhāmā, a partial incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He will rule that manvantara.
Essence. Svadhāmā, partial incarnation, born of Sunṛtā and Satyasahā — names meaning 'sweet-truth' and 'truth-enduring' — will rule that manvantara. The Lord chooses parents whose names already speak the truth He will embody.
BG 13.30
The thirteenth Manu will be named Deva-sāvarṇi, and he will be very advanced in spiritual knowledge. Among his sons will be Citrasena and Vicitra.
Essence. The thirteenth Manu, Deva-sāvarṇi, will be very advanced in spiritual knowledge; sons Citrasena and Vicitra. Advanced spiritual knowledge remains the recurring qualifier across all manus. The path to highest position is unchanging.
BG 13.31
In the thirteenth manvantara, the Sukarmās and Sutrāmas will be among the demigods, Divaspati will be the king of heaven, and Nirmoka and Tattvadarśa will be among the seven sages.
Essence. The Sukarmās and Sutrāmas among demigods; Divaspati as Indra; Nirmoka and Tattvadarśa among sages. The named ones repeat in patterns across manvantaras. The Lord's reuse of names suggests recurring service-positions across vast time.
BG 13.32
The son of Devahotra known as Yogeśvara will appear as a partial incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His mother’s name will be Bṛhatī. He will perform activities for the welfare of Divaspati.
Essence. Yogeśvara, partial incarnation, born of Devahotra and Bṛhatī, will work for Divaspati's welfare. Incarnations work for the welfare of specific others. The Lord descends with a beneficiary in mind.
BG 13.33
The name of the fourteenth Manu will be Indra-sāvarṇi. He will have sons like Uru, Gambhīra and Budha.
Essence. The fourteenth Manu, Indra-sāvarṇi, with sons Uru, Gambhīra, and Budha. Even the last Manu of a kalpa has a fully prepared household. The Lord's plan does not thin out toward the end; it remains complete.
BG 13.34
The Pavitras and Cākṣuṣas will be among the demigods, and Śuci will be Indra, the king of heaven. Agni, Bāhu, Śuci, Śuddha, Māgadha and others of great austerity will be the seven sages.
Essence. Pavitras and Cākṣuṣas as demigods; Śuci as Indra; Agni, Bāhu, Śuci, Śuddha, Māgadha as great-austerity sages. Even at the last manvantara, austerity defines sage-status. The dharmic constants persist till the end of Brahmā's day.
BG 13.35
O King Parīkṣit, in the fourteenth manvantara the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear from the womb of Vitānā, and His father’s name will be Satrāyaṇa. This incarnation will be celebrated as Bṛhadbhānu, and He will administer spiritual activities.
Essence. In the fourteenth manvantara the Lord will appear as Bṛhadbhānu, from Vitānā's womb and father Satrāyaṇa, administering spiritual activities. Even at kalpa's end, the Lord appears in named persons with named parents. Particularity to the very last.
BG 13.36
O King, I have now described to you the fourteen Manus appearing in the past, present and future. The total duration of time ruled by these Manus is one thousand yuga cycles. This is called a kalpa, or one day of Lord Brahmā.
Essence. Fourteen Manus described — past, present, future; their total time is one thousand yuga cycles, which is one day of Brahmā. The Bhāgavatam contains time itself in its narrative. Hearing it lets us live in cosmic, not just personal, time.