Genealogical Table of the Daughters of Manu

Maitreya describes the descendants of Manu’s daughters and the blessings received by Atri Muni.

Themes of SB 4.1Moha5 Dainya3 Karuṇā3 Śuddhi3 from its story phase

Connected storiesKardama MuniLord Kapila and DevahūtiKing CitraketuAmbarīṣa Mahārāja

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Atri Muni, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśvara

The story · While describing the families descended from Manu’s daughters, Maitreya recounts Atri Muni’s austerity. The sage controlled his attachments, stood on one leg, and lived on air for one hundred years. Atri was greatly pleased when the three deities graciously appeared before him, though their brilliance dazzled his eyes. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara bestowed a benediction and departed.

What it teaches · The account presents Atri’s control of attachment and sustained austerity, followed by the gracious blessings of the three deities.

SB 4.1.19 SB 4.1.25 SB 4.1.32 Read chapter 1 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

Kardama Muni

SB 3.21–22 · Kardama marries Devahūti SB 3.23 · Devahūti asks for lasting solace

What it teaches · Kardama kept devotional service as the aim beyond household life. Manu likewise passed his time thinking of Vāsudeva and engaging in matters concerning Him.

The Third Canto has already described how Kardama Muni begot nine daughters in Devahūti and how all the daughters were later handed over to great sages like Marīci, Atri and Vasiṣṭha.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.1.12 (Text 12)

You have already been informed about the nine daughters of Kardama Muni, who were handed over to nine different sages.
In the verse · SB 4.1.12 (Text 12)

Read the story in SB 3.21–22

Lord Kapila and Devahūti

SB 3.24 · Kapila appears and Kardama renounces SB 3.25–29 · Kapila teaches His mother SB 3.30–32 · Kapila describes the soul’s wandering

What it teaches · The Lord appears to support His devotees. True renunciation means surrendering one’s activities to Him and seeking Him through unfailing devotional service.

The Third Canto has already described how Kardama Muni begot nine daughters in Devahūti and how all the daughters were later handed over to great sages like Marīci, Atri and Vasiṣṭha.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.1.12 (Text 12)

Svāyambhuva Manu begot three daughters in his wife, Śatarūpā, and their names were Ākūti, Devahūti and Prasūti.
In the verse · SB 4.1.1 (Text 1)

Read the story in SB 3.24

King Citraketu

SB 6.14–15 · Citraketu’s grief and the sages’ counsel SB 6.16 · Citraketu finds the Lord’s shelter SB 6.17 · Citraketu accepts Pārvatī’s curse

What it teaches · The sages distinguish the enduring spiritual self from temporary family relationships. Their instruction relieves lamentation rooted in identifying the self with the body.

The great sage Vasiṣṭha begot in his wife, Ūrjā [sometimes called Arundhatī], seven spotlessly great sages, headed by the sage named Citraketu.
In the verse · SB 4.1.40 (Text 40)

Citraketu, Suroci, Virajā, Mitra, Ulbaṇa, Vasubhṛdyāna and Dyumān.
In the verse · SB 4.1.41 (Text 41)

Read the story in SB 6.14–15

Ambarīṣa Mahārāja

SB 9.4–5 · Ambarīṣa protects Durvāsā

What it teaches · A devotee finds happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa rather than in wealth or mystic achievements. Ambarīṣa’s humility and compassion extended even to the person who had offended him.

The three sons born of Anasūyā — Dattātreya, Durvāsā and Soma — were born as partial representations of these three demigods.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.1.15 (Text 15)

…and from the partial representation of Śaṅkara [Lord Śiva], Durvāsā was born.
In the verse · SB 4.1.33 (Text 33)

Read the story in SB 9.4–5

Bhṛgu Muni

SB 10.89 · Bhṛgu’s test and the brāhmaṇa’s sons SB 4.13–14 · King Vena rejects good counsel

What it teaches · The chapter identifies tolerance as a sure sign of greatness and establishes Lord Viṣṇu’s supremacy. Arjuna’s unsuccessful search also shows the limits of even an extraordinary warrior’s independent power.

Now you may hear from me about the descendants of the sage Bhṛgu.
In the verse · SB 4.1.42 (Text 42)

Thus Kavi also belonged to the descendants of the Bhṛgu dynasty.
In the verse · SB 4.1.45 (Text 45)

Read the story in SB 10.89

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi

SB 12.8 · Mārkaṇḍeya’s steady worship SB 12.9 · The child upon the banyan leaf SB 12.10 · Mārkaṇḍeya asks for devotion

What it teaches · Great souls remain tolerant even when disturbed. Mārkaṇḍeya’s steady worship is accompanied by humility, not pride in his spiritual strength.

From Mṛkaṇḍa, Mārkaṇḍeya Muni was born, and from Prāṇa, the sage Vedaśirā, whose son was Uśanā [Śukrācārya], also known as Kavi.
In the verse · SB 4.1.45 (Text 45)

Read the story in SB 12.8

Next in Learn · 4 of 11 · 5 minStudy a verseOne verse with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and three study points from the purport.Back · LearnPreface & Introduction