Shloka 57

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

चत्वारि भारते वर्षे युगानि मुनयो ऽब्रुवन् कृतं त्रेता द्वापरं च कलिश्चेति चतुर्युगम् तेषां निसर्गं वक्ष्यामि उपरिष्टाच्च कृत्स्नशः //

Transliteration

catvāri bhārate varṣe yugāni munayo 'bruvan kṛtaṃ tretā dvāparaṃ ca kaliśceti caturyugam teṣāṃ nisargaṃ vakṣyāmi upariṣṭācca kṛtsnaśaḥ //

Translation

The sages declare that, in Bhārata-varṣa, there are four ages—Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali—together forming the cycle of four yugas (caturyuga). I shall explain their succession and full arrangement in due order hereafter.

Word by Word

• चत्वारि (catvāri): four

• भारते वर्षे (bhārate varṣe): in Bhārata-varṣa / the land of Bhārata

• युगानि (yugāni): ages, world-epochs

• मुनयः (munayaḥ): sages

• अब्रुवन् (abruvan): declared, said

• कृतम् (kṛtam): Kṛta-yuga (Satya-yuga)

• त्रेता (tretā): Tretā-yuga

• द्वापरम् (dvāparam): Dvāpara-yuga

• कलिः (kaliḥ): Kali-yuga

• इति (iti): thus

• चतुर्युगम् (caturyugam): the four-yuga cycle

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of those (yugas)

• निसर्गम् (nisargam): sequence/ordering, unfolding, arrangement

• वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi): I will explain

• उपरिष्टात् (upariṣṭāt): later, hereafter

• च (ca): and

• कृत्स्नशः (kṛtsnaśaḥ): completely, in full.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, typical Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhārata-varṣa
• Muni (sages)
• Kṛta-yuga
• Tretā-yuga
• Dvāpara-yuga
• Kali-yuga
• Caturyuga

Tags

• Yugas
• Cosmic Time
• Dharma Decline
• Purana Cosmology
• Bhārata-varṣa

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it introduces the framework of cosmic time (the four yugas) that governs how the world’s order unfolds, within which creation, decline, and eventual dissolution are later understood.

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

By defining the yugas, the text prepares the ethical context: dharma and social duties are traditionally taught as varying in strength across Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali, guiding kings and householders to uphold righteousness appropriate to their age.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse serves as a cosmological preface, which later chapters may connect to age-based changes in ritual practice and religious norms.