Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

त्रीणि वर्षशतान्येवं षष्टिर्वर्षास्तथैव च दिव्यः संवत्सरो ह्येष मानुषेण प्रकीर्तितः //

Transliteration

trīṇi varṣaśatānyevaṃ ṣaṣṭirvarṣāstathaiva ca divyaḥ saṃvatsaro hyeṣa mānuṣeṇa prakīrtitaḥ //

Translation

Thus, three hundred years, and likewise sixty years more—when reckoned in human years—are declared to constitute one divine year.

Word by Word

• त्रीणि (trīṇi): three

• वर्षशतानि (varṣaśatāni): hundreds of years (i.e., three hundred years)

• एवम् (evam): thus/in this manner

• षष्टिः (ṣaṣṭiḥ): sixty

• वर्षाः (varṣāḥ): years

• तथा एव (tathā eva): likewise/just so

• च (ca): and

• दिव्यः (divyaḥ): divine/celestial

• संवत्सरः (saṃvatsaraḥ): year

• हि (hi): indeed

• एषः (eṣaḥ): this

• मानुषेण (mānuṣeṇa): by/according to human (reckoning)

• प्रकीर्तितः (prakīrtitaḥ): is proclaimed/declared.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Divya-saṃvatsara (divine year)
• Mānuṣa-varṣa (human year)

Tags

• Cosmic Time
• Kāla-māna
• Manvantara
• Yuga Calculations
• Purāṇic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It sets a key conversion between human and divine time, a standard used to compute yugas and manvantaras—time-scales that frame cycles of creation and dissolution in Purāṇic cosmology.

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

By establishing a sacred chronology, it underpins calendrical awareness for dharma—timing of vows, festivals, ancestral rites, and long-term royal planning aligned with Purāṇic measures of time.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not architectural, the time-conversion supports ritual scheduling (muhūrta, annual observances) that also governs temple consecrations and recurring worship cycles in Purāṇic practice.