Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

एषा चतुर्युगावस्था मानुषेण प्रकीर्तिता चतुर्युगस्य संख्याता संध्या संध्यांशकैः सह //

Transliteration

eṣā caturyugāvasthā mānuṣeṇa prakīrtitā caturyugasya saṃkhyātā saṃdhyā saṃdhyāṃśakaiḥ saha //

Translation

Thus the condition (full measure) of the four-yuga cycle has been set forth by Manu in human terms; the total reckoning of a caturyuga is to be understood together with its twilight (sandhyā) and twilight-portions (sandhyāṃśa).

Word by Word

• eṣā: this

• caturyuga-avasthā: the state/measure of the four-yuga cycle

• mānuṣeṇa: by Manu

• prakīrtitā: declared/proclaimed

• caturyugasya: of the caturyuga

• saṃkhyātā: reckoned/calculated

• saṃdhyā: twilight junction period

• saṃdhyā-aṃśakaiḥ: with the portions/parts of twilight

• saha: together with

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Caturyuga
• Sandhya
• Sandhyamsha

Tags

• Yuga
• Kalachakra
• Manvantara
• Cosmology
• Time-Measurement

FAQs

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

It frames cosmic time in precise units: a full caturyuga must include transitional twilight periods (sandhyā and sandhyāṃśa), which are crucial for understanding when major cosmic shifts—often linked with pralaya-like transitions—are said to occur.

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

By grounding dharma in a larger cosmic timetable, it implies that ethical and social duties are practiced within changing yuga-conditions; rulers and householders are expected to align conduct with the dharma appropriate to the age as defined by such yuga reckoning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct vastu or iconographic rule is stated; the practical takeaway is calendrical—ritual timing and traditional computations should account for junction-periods (sandhyā/sandhyāṃśa) when calculating sacred cycles.