Shloka 108

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

एते युगस्वभावा वः परिक्रान्ता यथाक्रमम् मन्वन्तराणि यान्यस्मिन् कल्पे वक्ष्यामि तानि च //

Transliteration

ete yugasvabhāvā vaḥ parikrāntā yathākramam manvantarāṇi yānyasmin kalpe vakṣyāmi tāni ca //

Translation

Thus the characteristics of the Yugas have been set forth to you in due order. Now I shall also describe the Manvantaras that occur in this Kalpa.

Word by Word

• एते (ete): these

• युग-स्वभावाः (yuga-svabhāvāḥ): the inherent natures/characteristics of the yugas

• वः (vaḥ): to you

• परिक्रान्ताः (parikrāntāḥ): have been covered/expounded

• यथा-क्रमम् (yathākramam): in proper sequence

• मन्वन्तराणि (manvantarāṇi): the Manvantara periods (reigns/epochs of Manus)

• यानि (yāni): which

• अस्मिन् (asmin): in this

• कल्पे (kalpe): kalpa (aeon/day of Brahmā)

• वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi): I shall explain

• तानि (tāni): those

• च (ca): and/also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Yuga
• Manvantara
• Kalpa

Tags

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• Cosmology
• Kalpa
• Puranic Time

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic history as ordered cycles: after explaining yuga-natures, the text moves to manvantaras within a kalpa—implying recurring creation-maintenance patterns across vast aeons rather than a single linear timeline.

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

By situating dharma within changing yugas, it implies that ethical and royal duties are taught with awareness of time-cycles; kings and householders should align conduct with śāstra that accounts for the moral conditions of each age.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse functions as a structural transition, preparing the audience for manvantara-based narrations that often ground later ritual calendars, genealogies, and tradition-lineages.