Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 13

Devanagari script

त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि मानुषेण प्रमाणतः त्रिंशदन्यानि वर्षाणि स्मृतः सप्तर्षिवत्सरः //

Transliteration

trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi mānuṣeṇa pramāṇataḥ triṃśadanyāni varṣāṇi smṛtaḥ saptarṣivatsaraḥ //

Translation

By human reckoning, three thousand years—together with another thirty years—are remembered as one ‘Saptarishi year’, the year measured by the cycle of the Seven Sages.

Word by Word

• त्रीणि: three

• वर्षसहस्राणि: thousands of years

• मानुषेण: by humans / in human terms

• प्रमाणतः: according to the measure / as the standard

• त्रिंशत्: thirty

• अन्यानि: additional

• वर्षाणि: years

• स्मृतः: is remembered / is traditionally stated

• सप्तर्षि-वत्सरः: the Saptarishi-year (year of the Seven Rishis)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Saptarishis
• Manu (human reckoning)

Tags

• Time
• Manvantara
• Saptarishi
• Chronology
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it provides a technical unit of sacred chronology (the Saptarishi-year) used to structure long cosmic and historical time spans that frame cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By defining an authoritative time-measure, it supports dharma in practice—ritual calendars, royal record-keeping, and the traditional dating of lineages and eras that kings preserve as part of righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu rule is stated, but such time-reckoning is commonly used to time rites, consecrations, and calendrical observances—background chronology that supports correct ritual scheduling.