Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

इत्येतदृषिभिर्गीतं दिव्यया संख्यया द्विजाः दिव्येनैव प्रमाणेन युगसंख्या प्रकल्पिता //

Transliteration

ityetadṛṣibhirgītaṃ divyayā saṃkhyayā dvijāḥ divyenaiva pramāṇena yugasaṃkhyā prakalpitā //

Translation

Thus, O twice-born ones (dvijas), this has been sung by the sages in a divine system of numbers; by that very divine standard of measure, the computation of the yugas has been set forth.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• etat: this (teaching)

• ṛṣibhiḥ: by the sages

• gītam: sung/declared

• divyayā: by divine/celestial

• saṃkhyayā: number/enumeration

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (Brāhmaṇas)

• divyena: by a divine (celestial) standard

• eva: indeed/only

• pramāṇena: by measure/authority/standard of proof

• yuga-saṃkhyā: the count/chronology of the yugas

• prakalpitā: has been arranged/formulated.

Speaker

• Narrator/Teacher voice within the Matsya Purana (traditionally Lord Matsya instructing Vaivasvata Manu, relayed in Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Dvijas
• Yuga

Tags

• Cosmology
• Yuga
• Timekeeping
• Rishis
• Purana

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it establishes that yuga chronology is based on a “divine” standard of measurement, which underlies Purāṇic cycles of creation and dissolution.

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

By grounding yuga counts in authoritative sacred measures, it supports the Purāṇic idea that dharma (royal and household duties) varies by age; knowing the yuga framework helps interpret which practices are emphasized in a given era.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu rule is stated, but the verse highlights “divine measures” (pramāṇa), a concept echoed in ritual timing (muhūrta) and in Vāstu/śilpa traditions where correct measurement is considered sacred and authoritative.