Shloka 45
Matsya Purana — Dhruva as Cosmic Pivot: Motions of Sun–Moon–Planets
तस्य काष्ठा स्मृता घोणा दन्तपङ्क्तिः क्षणास्तु वै निमेषश्चानुकर्षो ऽस्य ईषा चास्य कला स्मृता //
tasya kāṣṭhā smṛtā ghoṇā dantapaṅktiḥ kṣaṇāstu vai nimeṣaścānukarṣo 'sya īṣā cāsya kalā smṛtā //
Of that measure of time, the unit called kāṣṭhā is said to be “ghoṇā”; the “row of teeth” is indeed called kṣaṇa. The nimeṣa is called anukarṣa, and its īṣā is remembered as kalā.
FAQs
This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it defines technical names/synonyms for small units of time used in the Purana’s cosmological framework, which later supports larger discussions like yugas and cosmic cycles.
By standardizing time-units (kāṣṭhā, kṣaṇa, nimeṣa, kalā), the text supports correct timing for daily duties, vows, and governance routines—especially calendrical and ritual scheduling that a king and householder must observe.
The ritual significance is indirect: accurate kāla-māna helps fix auspicious timings (muhūrta selection) for rites and consecrations; such time-reckoning is also used when coordinating temple rituals and Vastu-related ceremonies.