Manvantara

Manvantara is the name of an era in one
instance of cosmic time. According to
traditional belief, time has neither
beginning nor end but alternates
between cycles of creation and activity,
followed by cessation and quietude.
Each of these cycles lasts for 4.32 billion
years; the active phase is known as
the Day of Brahma and the quiet phase
is known as the Night of Brahma. In
one instance of cosmic time, each
Day of Brahma is divided into fourteen
equal periods, each ruled by one of
the fourteen Manus. Manus are celebrated as the sovereigns of the earth
and are perceived as semidivine beings
who are the progenitors of the human
race. Currently we are living in the
seventh age, with seven yet to come.
The Manu of this present age,
Vaivasvata, was saved from pralaya
(universal destruction) by Vishnu in his
form as the Fish avatar. Vaivasvata is
regarded as the progenitor of the Solar
Line of Kings.