Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

चत्वारि भारते वर्षे युगानि ऋषयो ऽब्रुवन् कृतं त्रेता द्वापरं च कलिश्चैवं चतुर्युगम् //

Transliteration

catvāri bhārate varṣe yugāni ṛṣayo 'bruvan kṛtaṃ tretā dvāparaṃ ca kaliścaivaṃ caturyugam //

Translation

In Bharata-varṣa, the seers declared that there are four ages—Kṛta (Satya), Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali—thus constituting the fourfold cycle called caturyuga.

Word by Word

• चत्वारि: four

• भारते: in Bharata

• वर्षे: in the land/continent (varṣa)

• युगानि: ages, world-epochs

• ऋषयः: seers, sages

• अब्रुवन्: declared, said

• कृतम्: the Kṛta (Satya) Yuga

• त्रेता: the Tretā Yuga

• द्वापरम्: the Dvāpara Yuga

• च: and

• कलिः: the Kali Yuga

• एवम्: thus, in this manner

• चतुर्युगम्: the four-yuga cycle, caturyuga.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu about cosmic time and dharma across ages)

Entities Mentioned

• Bharata-varsha
• Rishis
• Krita Yuga
• Treta Yuga
• Dvapara Yuga
• Kali Yuga
• Caturyuga

Tags

• Yuga
• Cosmology
• Dharma
• Time-cycles
• MatsyaPurana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it defines the temporal framework (caturyuga) within which creation, preservation, decline of dharma, and periodic dissolutions are understood in Purāṇic cosmology.

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

By naming the four yugas, it signals that dharma and social duties are taught with awareness of changing times—kings and householders are expected to uphold order appropriate to their age, especially as righteousness diminishes toward Kali.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule appears here; its practical significance is contextual—temple rites, donations, and disciplines are often prescribed differently by yuga in Purāṇic literature, and this verse establishes that yuga-based framework.