Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 73

Devanagari script

असङ्गा गतयस्तेषां चतस्रश्चक्रवर्तिनाम् अन्तरिक्षे समुद्रेषु पाताले पर्वतेषु च //

Transliteration

asaṅgā gatayasteṣāṃ catasraścakravartinām antarikṣe samudreṣu pātāle parvateṣu ca //

Translation

Ihre Bewegungen sind ungehindert; vierfach sind die Wege jener Weltenherrscher (Cakravartin): durch den Zwischenraum der Lüfte, über die Ozeane, hinab nach Pātāla (Unterwelt) und über die Berge.

Word by Word

• असङ्गाः (asaṅgāḥ): unobstructed, unimpeded

• गतयः (gatayaḥ): movements, courses, modes of travel

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• चतस्रः (catasraḥ): four

• चक्रवर्तिनाम् (cakravartinām): of universal emperors, world-rulers

• अन्तरिक्षे (antarikṣe): in the sky/mid-region

• समुद्रेषु (samudreṣu): in/over the oceans

• पाताले (pātāle): in Pātāla, the nether regions

• पर्वतेषु (parvateṣu): on/among mountains

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Chakravartin
• Antariksha
• Samudra
• Patala
• Parvata

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Chakravartin
• Royal Powers
• Puranic Cosmology
• Sovereignty

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it reflects the Purana’s cosmological map (sky, ocean, netherworld, mountains) by stating that a chakravartin’s reach symbolically spans all these realms.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It frames the chakravartin as a ruler whose authority is unhindered and all-encompassing; ethically, such power implies heightened rajadharma—protection, just governance, and responsibility across all domains under his sway.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the four realms can, however, inform temple/ritual cosmology (vertical and horizontal sacred geography) often used when mapping spaces to reflect the universe.