Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

समास्त्रिंशत्तु सम्पूर्णाः पर्यटन्वै वसुंधराम् अश्वकर्मा स वै सेनां हस्त्यश्वरथसंकुलाम् //

Transliteration

samāstriṃśattu sampūrṇāḥ paryaṭanvai vasuṃdharām aśvakarmā sa vai senāṃ hastyaśvarathasaṃkulām //

Translation

For a full thirty years indeed, Aśvakarmā roamed over the earth, moving with an army crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots.

Word by Word

• samāḥ: years

• triṁśat: thirty

• tu: indeed/but

• sampūrṇāḥ: complete, full

• paryaṭan: wandering, ranging, roaming

• vai: indeed

• vasuṁdharām: the earth

• aśvakarmā: (proper name) Aśvakarmā

• saḥ: he

• vai: indeed

• senām: army

• hasti: elephants

• aśva: horses

• ratha: chariots

• saṅkulām: filled with, thronged with, densely packed with

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) summarizing an episode within the Matsya Purana’s dynastic narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvakarmā

Tags

• Dynasties
• Campaigns
• Royal Army
• Itihasa
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it is a dynastic-martial description of a king/leader roaming the earth with a fourfold-style force emphasizing elephants, horses, and chariots.

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

It reflects the kingly sphere (rājadharma in practice): maintaining and leading an organized army and undertaking prolonged tours/campaigns across the realm—activities tied to protection, assertion of sovereignty, and oversight of territories.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the key technical detail is military composition—an army ‘thronged with elephants, horses, and chariots,’ a standard Purāṇic marker of royal power.