Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

एषा चतुर्युगाख्या तु साधिका ह्येकसप्ततिः क्रमेण परिवृत्ता सा मनोरन्तरमुच्यते //

Transliteration

eṣā caturyugākhyā tu sādhikā hyekasaptatiḥ krameṇa parivṛttā sā manorantaramucyate //

Translation

This unit called the cycle of four Yugas (caturyuga), when completed in due order seventy-one times (with the requisite additional interval), is termed a Manvantara—the period of a Manu.

Word by Word

• eṣā: this

• caturyuga-ākhyā: called the four-yuga cycle (mahāyuga)

• tu: indeed

• sādhikā: together with the additional (portion/interval)

• hi: for/indeed

• eka-saptatiḥ: seventy-one

• krameṇa: in proper sequence

• parivṛttā: revolved/completed

• sā: that

• manvantaram: a manvantara (Manu’s era)

• ucyate: is called

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Manvantara
• Chaturyuga (Mahāyuga)

Tags

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• Cosmic Chronology
• Purana Time
• Creation Cycles

FAQs

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

It defines cosmic time-units: a Manvantara is measured as seventy-one cycles of four yugas (with an added interval), a framework used to situate creations and dissolutions within repeating epochs.

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

By fixing the scale of time in yugas and Manvantaras, it grounds dharma in an age-based context—royal and household duties are taught in the Purana as varying in emphasis across yugas, so knowing the epoch supports correct application of dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; its significance is calendrical—ritual timing and Purāṇic prescriptions often depend on yuga/manvantara reckoning, so this verse supplies the underlying time-measure.