Shloka 60

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

पूर्वजन्मनि विष्णुश्च प्रमतिर्नाम वीर्यवान् सुतः स वै चन्द्रमसः पूर्वे कलियुगे प्रभुः //

Transliteration

pūrvajanmani viṣṇuśca pramatirnāma vīryavān sutaḥ sa vai candramasaḥ pūrve kaliyuge prabhuḥ //

Translation

In a former birth, Viṣṇu was the valiant son named Pramati; indeed, he was a lord in the earlier Kali Yuga, belonging to the lunar line (Candramas).

Word by Word

• pūrvajanmani: in a former birth

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• ca: and/also

• pramatiḥ nāma: named Pramati

• vīryavān: mighty, valorous

• sutaḥ: son

• sa vai: he indeed

• candramasaḥ: of Candramas (the Moon), i.e., of the lunar dynasty

• pūrve: earlier/former

• kaliyuge: in the Kali Yuga

• prabhuḥ: lord, ruler

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) narrating to Vaivasvata Manu (genealogical discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Pramati
• Candramas (Chandra / the Moon)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Kali Yuga
• Lunar lineage
• Puranic history

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it focuses on a genealogical identification—linking a figure named Pramati with Viṣṇu in a former birth and placing him within the lunar dynasty in an earlier Kali Yuga.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Matsya Purana’s broader ethic that kingship is part of a sacred historical order: rulers arise within recognized lineages, and sovereignty (prabhu) is portrayed as a role embedded in dharmic continuity across ages.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is primarily genealogical, naming a prior-birth identity and dynastic affiliation.