Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

एतच्चतुर्दशगुणं कल्पमाहुस्तु तद्विदः ततस्तु प्रलयः कृत्स्नः स तु संप्रलयो महान् //

Transliteration

etaccaturdaśaguṇaṃ kalpamāhustu tadvidaḥ tatastu pralayaḥ kṛtsnaḥ sa tu saṃpralayo mahān //

Translation

Those who know the doctrine declare this to be a Kalpa fourteenfold in measure; thereafter occurs the total dissolution—indeed, that is the great and complete dissolution (Mahā-saṃpralaya).

Word by Word

• etat: this (measure/period)

• caturdaśa-guṇam: fourteenfold, multiplied by fourteen

• kalpam: a kalpa (cosmic aeon/day of Brahmā)

• āhuḥ: they say, they declare

• tu: indeed

• tadvidaḥ: those who know that (the learned in this doctrine)

• tataḥ: thereafter, after that

• pralayaḥ: dissolution

• kṛtsnaḥ: entire, complete, total

• saḥ: that

• tu: indeed

• saṃpralayaḥ: complete dissolution, thorough reabsorption

• mahān: great

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Kalpa
• Pralaya
• Mahā-saṃpralaya

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kalpa
• CosmicTime
• Manvantara
• MatsyaPuranaTeachings

FAQs

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

It states that after a fourteenfold cosmic period described as a kalpa-measure, a complete dissolution occurs—identified specifically as the great total dissolution (Mahā-saṃpralaya), where everything is reabsorbed.

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

By emphasizing the inevitability of total dissolution after vast cycles of time, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of detachment and righteous conduct (dharma): kings and householders should govern and live virtuously without clinging to impermanent power, wealth, or works.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified; the verse functions as a cosmological marker of time and dissolution, often used to frame why rituals and sacred constructions are meritorious yet ultimately transient within pralaya-bound cycles.