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The story of Vaivasvata Manu and the great flood is an ancient narrative found in Hindu mythology, specifically within the texts like the “Satapatha Brahmana” and the “Matsya Purana”. Vaivasvata Manu, often simply called Manu, is regarded as the progenitor of humanity, akin to Noah in the Abrahamic traditions.
Manu once rescued a small fish, which later revealed itself to be the god Vishnu in the form of a fish (Matsya). The fish warned Manu about an impending catastrophic flood that would destroy all life. As gratitude for saving him, Matsya instructed Manu to build a huge boat. When the flood arrived, Manu used this boat to save himself, his family, and the “Saptarishi” (the seven sages), as well as seeds of all plants and pairs of all creatures. The boat, tethered to the horn of Matsya, survived the deluge. After the waters receded, Manu’s boat rested on the slopes of Mount Meru (or Mount Himalaya, according to some texts).
Noah vs Manu
The stories of Noah and Manu involve their roles as progenitors of humanity after surviving a catastrophic flood.
Sons and Daughters of Noah:
Sons:
- Shem: Shem is often mentioned as the eldest son of Noah. According to biblical genealogy, Shem is considered the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Israelites and Arabs.
- Ham: Ham is another son of Noah. His descendants are associated with various peoples in the biblical narrative, including some traditionally identified with Africa.
- Japheth: Japheth is the third son of Noah. His descendants are often associated with Indo-European and Eurasian peoples.
Daughters:
The Bible does not explicitly mention the names of Noah’s daughters. The focus is primarily on the three sons and their descendants.
Sons and Daughters of Manu (Vaivasvata Manu):
In Hindu traditions, Manu is considered the progenitor of humanity, and his wife, Shatarupa, is the mother. The names of their children vary across different Puranic texts, but some common names include:
Sons:
- Ikshvaku: Ikshvaku is often mentioned as the eldest son of Manu. He is considered the founder of the Solar Dynasty (Suryavansha) and is an essential figure in the Ramayana.
- Nabhaga: Nabhaga is sometimes mentioned as one of Manu’s sons. His story is found in certain Puranic texts.
Daughters:
The Puranas do not always provide names for the daughters of Manu. The emphasis is often on the sons and their roles in the continuation of humanity.
