About Mānasaputra

Manasaputra is a Sanskrit title derived from two root words, viz. manasa and putra. 'Manasa' refers to the mind, and 'putra' means 'son', or 'progeny'. Manasaputra, therefore, may literally be translated as, 'mind-children' or the 'mind-born'. In Hinduism, the god Brahma is believed to have created sixteen sons and a daughter from his mind. This concept of creatio ex nihilio is also associated with the Vedic deity Prajapati, who has since been assimilated with Brahma. These children of the mind are stated to have been created or come into existence through the will of Brahma. The only manasaputri (mind-daughter) of Brahma is Saraswati, who was said to have been born from the mind of Brahma, though there are also texts that hold that she sprung from his tongue or his forehead. This is also the best indication that the mind-born are not genetically related to the creator, since Brahma is enraptured by Saraswati and goes on to choose her as his consort. According to the Bhagavata Purana, some of the manasaputras are: Angiras (sage), Atri, Pulastya, Marichi, Pulaha, Jambavan, Bhrigu, Vashistha, Daksha, Narada, Chitragupta, the Four Kumaras, Himavat, and Shatarupa.