Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

सप्तर्षीणां मनोश्चैव आदौ त्रेतायुगे ततः अबुद्धिपूर्वकं तेन सकृत्पूर्वकमेव च //

Transliteration

saptarṣīṇāṃ manoścaiva ādau tretāyuge tataḥ abuddhipūrvakaṃ tena sakṛtpūrvakameva ca //

Translation

In the beginning—and later in the Tretā Yuga as well—this account/practice concerning the Seven Sages and Manu was undertaken by him, first without full understanding, and then once again with deliberate intent.

Word by Word

• सप्तर्षीणाम्: of the Seven Sages (Saptarishis)

• मनोः: of Manu

• च एव: and indeed/also

• आदौ: in the beginning

• त्रेतायुगे: in the Tretā Yuga

• ततः: thereafter/then

• अबुद्धिपूर्वकम्: without proper understanding, unintentionally

• तेन: by him/therefore

• सकृत्: once

• पूर्वकमेव: in a prior manner/preceded by (due procedure), deliberately

• च: and

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s account within the Manu–Saptarishi lineage context

Entities Mentioned

• Saptarishis
• Manu
• Treta Yuga

Tags

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• Lineage
• Tradition
• Dharma

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it emphasizes continuity of sacred tradition across cosmic time (Yugas and Manu-lineage), a key Purāṇic idea that survives even across upheavals like Pralaya.

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

It highlights the shift from acting unknowingly to acting with clear intention—an ethical principle in the Matsya Purana: dharma should be performed with understanding and proper resolve, not merely by accident or imitation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconography rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is about correct intentional performance (buddhi and saṅkalpa), which underlies proper execution of rites described elsewhere in the Matsya Purana.