The creation of Manasputras by Brahma had not achieved its objectives. So, he created Manu and Shatroopa from the right half and the left half of his body. Brahma ordered them to commence with the process of creation. Since the whole earth was submerged in water, Manu wanted the earth to be brought up from beneath the water. Hence, Brahma requested Lord Vishnu to do the needful which He did.

After the liberation of the earth from submerged water, both Manu and Shatroopa started a penance. By the penance, they got purified. Two sons, Priyavrata and Uttanpada and three daughters Aahuti, Devhuti and Prasooti were born to them.

His first and eldest son Priyavrata was a great devotee who divided the earth into seven islands. The second son Uttanpada had a son Dhruva who was the supreme devotee of Narayana. His daughter Aahuti was married to sage Roochi and Lord Vishnu took incarnation as Yaksha as their child. The second daughter Devhuti was married to the sage Kardam and Lord Vishnu took birth in their family and was known as Kapil. Prasooti was married to Daksha who was one of the manasputras of Brahma.

All the human population today is the descendant of Manu. For the benefit of humanity, Manu had established laws which are compiled in the Manusmriti.

Manu ruled this earth for a long time, but he felt a sense of dissatisfaction inspite of all the wealth, splendours and pleasures. After the completion of his 'Manvantara', Manu handed over the kingship to his sons and went to the forest along with Shatroopa to observe penance. With the chanting of the twelve lettered mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya', they wanted to realize the supreme power, the omnipresent Lord Vishnu.

Manu and Shatroopa observed severe penance having water initially and nothing else and later on quit even this. They stood on one leg and during the penance. They were awaiting eagerly for a divine glimpse of Lord Vishnu. Pleased with their penance, Brahma and other deities appeared before them, but their eyes only wanted to have the sight of Lord Vishnu. The severe penance had its effect and their bodies were reduced to skeletons. But even that did not deter their faith.

Ultimately, Lord Vishnu was pleased with their penance and showered His divine grace on them. A voice from the sky was heard: "Manu, ask for any boon".

Recognizing the voice of Lord Vishnu, their hearts were filled with joy. They bowed to Him in reverence and said: "Lord, if you are really pleased with us, then please allow us to see your, that divine appearance which Lord Shiva meditates upon and whose beauty the Shrutis describe. We want to experience that divine appearance which gives benediction to the whole world".

Then Lord Vishnu appeared before them. The whole environment became as clear as the blue sky. They were so thrilled by the divine sight that their eyes stopped blinking. Manu's eyes were fixed on Him but his heart was still far from satisfaction.

Lord Vishnu asked them to seek a boon. Manu hesitatingly replied: "O Lord, there is nothing which you cannot give, I do have a wish in my heart but I am feeling too shy to express it".

After repeated insistence by Lord Vishnu to ask for anything without hesitation. Manu said: "O Lord, I want to have a son who is just like you".

Lord Vishnu laughed at his demand. He accepted to take incarnation as his son. Shatroopa too endorsed her husband's demand and said: "O Lord, the joy, the end, the devotion and the knowledge which your dearest of devotee is fortunate to have, we desire for the same joy, same end and the devotion".

The same Manu was born as the king Dashrath and Shatroopa as Kaushalya in the Tretayuga and Lord Vishnu kept His promise by taking incarnation as Shri Rama. How could have Laxmi remain separated from Lord Vishnu, so she took incarnation as Sita in Janaka's palace and was later married to Shri Rama.