Shloka 63

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

चक्रं रथो मणिर्भार्या निधिरश्वो गजस्तथा प्रोक्तानि सप्त रत्नानि पूर्वं स्वायम्भुवे ऽन्तरे //

Transliteration

cakraṃ ratho maṇirbhāryā nidhiraśvo gajastathā proktāni sapta ratnāni pūrvaṃ svāyambhuve 'ntare //

Translation

The cakra (sovereign wheel), the chariot, the jewel, the queen, the treasure, the horse, and likewise the elephant—these were proclaimed as the seven “jewels” (sapta-ratna) in the earlier age, in the Manvantara of Svāyambhuva Manu.

Word by Word

• चक्रम् (cakram): the wheel/discus of sovereignty

• रथः (rathaḥ): chariot

• मणिः (maṇiḥ): jewel (precious gem)

• भार्या (bhāryā): wife/queen

• निधिः (nidhiḥ): treasure/hoard

• अश्वः (aśvaḥ): horse

• गजः (gajaḥ): elephant

• तथा (tathā): and so/likewise

• प्रोक्तानि (proktāni): declared/taught

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• रत्नानि (ratnāni): jewels/rare excellences

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly/earlier

• स्वायम्भुवे (svāyambhuve): pertaining to Svāyambhuva (Manu)

• अन्तरे (antare): within the interval/Manvantara.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting traditional teaching (as framed within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Svayambhuva Manu
• Sapta-ratna

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Cakravartin
• Sapta-ratna
• Manvantara
• Royal insignia

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it lists the classical seven emblems/resources of a universal monarch, framed as a tradition from the Svāyambhuva Manvantara.

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

It reflects Rajadharma by defining the ideal supports of kingship—legitimate sovereignty (cakra), mobility and force (ratha, aśva, gaja), prosperity (maṇi, nidhi), and stable polity/lineage through the queen (bhāryā).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily political-ideological, cataloguing royal ‘ratnas’ rather than temple-building rules.