Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः चतुर्युगाणि यानि स्युः पूर्वे स्वायम्भुवे ऽन्तरे एषां निसर्गसंख्यां च श्रोतुमिच्छाम विस्तरात् //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ caturyugāṇi yāni syuḥ pūrve svāyambhuve 'ntare eṣāṃ nisargasaṃkhyāṃ ca śrotumicchāma vistarāt //

Translation

The sages said: “We wish to hear in detail the number and sequence, by the natural reckoning, of the caturyugas that occur in the earlier Svāyambhuva Manvantara.”

Word by Word

• ऋषयः: the sages

• ऊचुः: said

• चतुर्युगाणि: the fourfold ages (sets of four yugas, i.e., mahāyugas)

• यानि: which

• स्युः: may be/occur

• पूर्वे: in the earlier/first

• स्वायम्भुवे अन्तरे: within the Svāyambhuva Manvantara (Manu-epoch of Svāyambhuva Manu)

• एषाम्: of these

• निसर्ग-संख्याम्: the natural/regular count and order (reckoning)

• च: and

• श्रोतुम्: to hear

• इच्छामः: we desire

• विस्तरात्: at length/in detail

Speaker

• The sages (ṛṣayaḥ)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Svayambhuva Manu
• Manvantara
• Caturyuga (Mahāyuga)

Tags

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• CosmicChronology
• CreationCycles
• PuranicTime

FAQs

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

It frames the Purāṇic model of cyclic time—manvantaras containing repeated caturyugas—providing the chronological backdrop typically used to explain creation, re-creation, and periodic dissolutions.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in cosmic order: royal and household duties are often taught as appropriate to the yuga and manvantara context, so knowing the time-cycle helps interpret when and why particular dharmic rules are emphasized.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is a chronological inquiry. In the Matsya Purāṇa, such time-reckoning often serves as the framework before prescribing rites, donations, or temple-building merits for particular ages.