Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

मन्वन्तरस्य संख्या तु मानुषेण निबोधत एकत्रिंशत्तथा कोट्यः संख्याताः संख्यया द्विजैः //

Transliteration

manvantarasya saṃkhyā tu mānuṣeṇa nibodhata ekatriṃśattathā koṭyaḥ saṃkhyātāḥ saṃkhyayā dvijaiḥ //

Translation

Now understand the measure of a Manvantara in human terms: the twice-born (dvija) have reckoned it, by established computation, as thirty-one crores of years.

Word by Word

• manvantarasya: of a Manvantara

• saṃkhyā: number/measure

• tu: indeed/now

• mānuṣeṇa: in human (reckoning)

• nibodhata: understand/learn

• ekatriṃśat: thirty-one

• tathā: thus/also

• koṭyaḥ: crores (ten millions each)

• saṃkhyātāḥ: counted/reckoned

• saṃkhyayā: by calculation/enumeration

• dvijaiḥ: by the twice-born (Brahmins/learned).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Dvija

Tags

• Manvantara
• Cosmology
• Time-Units
• Kalpa
• Puranic-chronology

FAQs

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

It fixes the vast cosmic timetable by stating the human-year measure of a Manvantara, a key unit used to map cycles that culminate in larger dissolutions (pralayas) over greater spans.

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

By placing human life and governance within immense cosmic cycles, it encourages dharmic rule and disciplined household life with awareness of time, impermanence, and long-term moral order (dharma) across ages.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the significance is chronological—such time-units are used to date rites, genealogies, and temple/purāṇic narratives within a standardized cosmic framework.