B.G 10.06

maharṣayaḥ sapta pūrve catvāro manavastathā। madbhāvā mānasā jātā yeṣāṁ loka imāḥ prajāḥ ॥6॥

The seven great sages and the four former Manus, who are My mind-born manifestations, from whom these creatures of the world have arisen.

Gīta Tātparya 10.06

Testimonials from Brahma and Mahavishnu Purāṇa are quoted to elaborate.

"marīciratryaṅgirasau pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ। vasiṣṭhaśca mahātejāḥ pūrve saptarṣayaḥ smr̥tāḥ॥"

Marīci, Atri, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and the greatly resplendent Vasiṣṭha are remembered as the former seven sages.

iti brāhme।

- stated thus in the Brahma Purāṇa.

"manavo bodhavaiśeṣyād devā brahmādayaḥ smr̥tāḥ। viprādivarṇabhedena catvāro bahavo'pi te॥ dīnatvāt devanāmānaḥ stvanye brahmādināmakāḥ। avaiṣṇavakr̥to yajño dīnaiḥ daivaistu bhujyate॥ vaiṣṇavaistu kr̥to yajño devairhi manunāmakaiḥ। marīcyādyāstu tatputrā mānavāḥ nāmataḥ smr̥tāḥ॥ tatputrapautrā munayaḥ tathā mānavamānavāḥ। tebhyo manuṣyā ityeṣā sr̥ṣṭiḥ viṣṇoḥ samutthitā॥"

"The Manus are remembered as gods beginning with Brahmā due to the distinction of understanding. Divided into castes like brāhmaṇas etc., they are four and also many. Some due to being lower in rank, are called gods, but others are called by names like Brahmā. A sacrifice performed by non-Vaiṣṇavas is enjoyed by lower gods, whereas one performed by Vaiṣṇavas is enjoyed by the gods known as Manus. The offsprings beginning with Marīci are remembered by name as Mānavas. Their sons and grandsons, the sages and the Manus and their descendants — from them, human beings have arisen; thus, this creation has emerged from the Lord Viṣṇu."

iti mahāviṣṇupurāṇe ॥6॥

- stated thus in the Mahāviṣṇu Purāṇa.