Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

क्रमागतं मयाप्येतत् तुभ्यं नोक्तं युगद्वयम् ऋषिवंशप्रसङ्गेन व्याकुलत्वात्तथा क्रमात् //

Transliteration

kramāgataṃ mayāpyetat tubhyaṃ noktaṃ yugadvayam ṛṣivaṃśaprasaṅgena vyākulatvāttathā kramāt //

Translation

Although this topic arose in proper sequence, I did not tell you of the two yugas, because—preoccupied with the episode concerning the lineage of the ṛṣis—I proceeded in that order and was distracted by that digression.

Word by Word

• क्रमागतं (kramāgatam): arrived in sequence / arisen in due order

• मया (mayā): by me

• अपि (api): even/also

• एतत् (etat): this (matter)

• तुभ्यं (tubhyam): to you

• नोक्तं (na uktam): was not spoken / not told

• युगद्वयम् (yugadvayam): the pair of yugas / two ages

• ऋषिवंशप्रसङ्गेन (ṛṣivaṃśa-prasaṅgena): due to the digression/occasion of the sages’ lineage

• व्याकुलत्वात् (vyākulatvāt): because of being preoccupied/distracted

• तथा (tathā): thus/therefore

• क्रमात् (kramāt): in sequence / according to order

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Rishis (ṛṣis)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Yugas
• Narrative structure
• Puranic discourse

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe pralaya; it clarifies the narrator’s sequencing—stating that discussion of “two yugas” was deferred due to a digression into sage-lineages.

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

Indirectly, it models dharmic instruction through orderly teaching: a king like Manu is being guided via structured narration (krama), emphasizing that governance and learning require attention to proper sequence and context.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this verse; its significance is textual—signposting a transition back toward a yuga-based teaching after the ṛṣivaṃśa (lineage) digression.