maharṣhayaḥ sapta pūrve chatvāro manavas tathā
mad-bhāvā mānasā jātā yeṣhāṁ loka imāḥ prajāḥ
mahā-ṛiṣhayaḥ — the great Sages;
sapta — seven;
pūrve — before;
chatvāraḥ — four;
manavaḥ — Manus;
tathā — also;
mat bhāvāḥ — are born from me;
mānasāḥ — mind;
jātāḥ — born;
yeṣhām — from them;
loke — in the world;
imāḥ — all these;
prajāḥ — people
In this verse, Lord Krishna is explaining the origins of many important beings in the universe. He mentions that there are seven great sages, known as the Rishis, who are very wise and spiritual leaders. These sages were born after four other earlier sages—Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatana, and Sanatkumara—who were also known for their wisdom and spiritual insight.
These beings, including the great sages and the Manus (the progenitors of humanity), all come from the mind of the Supreme Lord Krishna, which means that they are part of His divine plan and creation. So, all living beings on different planets are considered to have descended from these important figures.
More specifically, the verse highlights that every creature in our universe shares a connection to these sages. To put it simply, Krishna is saying that these great sages are the ancestors of all life, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and order of the universe.
To give a clearer picture, think of this like a family tree. At the top, we have the origin—the Supreme Lord Krishna. From Him, Brahma (the first created being and often called the first father or 'grandfather' of creation) emerges. Brahma is a special being who had to meditate for a long time to understand how to create the world around him. After Brahma, he created the four earlier sages and the seven great sages. These sages are like the wise grandparents of many other beings. They help guide and influence the lives of all creatures.
This understanding of creation and its ancestry emphasizes the idea that life on Earth and in the universe doesn’t exist randomly. Instead, it is part of a larger plan and structure formed by the divine energy of Krishna. He stresses the importance of these sages because they are the ones who provide knowledge, wisdom, and guidance to people, helping them understand the world and their place in it. Ultimately, recognizing this lineage helps us appreciate the value of wisdom and the efforts of these great beings who contribute to the spiritual development and growth of humanity.