Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Brahmā’s Four Faces

Devanagari script

यावद् अब्दशतं दिव्यं यथान्यः प्राकृतो जनः ततःकालेन महता तस्याः पुत्रो ऽभवन् मनुः //

Transliteration

yāvad abdaśataṃ divyaṃ yathānyaḥ prākṛto janaḥ tataḥkālena mahatā tasyāḥ putro 'bhavan manuḥ //

Translation

For a hundred divine years she lived like any other ordinary person; then, after a long passage of time, her son was born—Manu.

Word by Word

• yāvat: for as long as

• abdaśatam: a hundred years

• divyam: divine (celestial)

• yathā: like/as

• anyaḥ: another/any other

• prākṛtaḥ: ordinary, common

• janaḥ: person/folk

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• kālena: with/by time

• mahatā: great, long

• tasyāḥ: of her

• putraḥ: son

• abhavat/abhavan: was born/came into being

• manuḥ: Manu

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu

Tags

• Manvantara
• Genealogy
• Time
• Dynasties
• Puranic History

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes Puranic chronology—“divine years” and long stretches of time leading to Manu’s birth, which frames later Manvantara and flood-related narratives.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in lineage and time: Manu’s appearance after a measured span signals the rise of Manu as the archetypal lawgiver whose norms later guide household and royal conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is stated in this verse; it is primarily genealogical/chronological rather than Vastu or ritual procedural instruction.