Shloka 65

Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation

Devanagari script

भूतभव्यानि यानीह वर्तमानानि यानि च त्रेतायुगानि तेष्वत्र जायन्ते चक्रवर्तिनः //

Transliteration

bhūtabhavyāni yānīha vartamānāni yāni ca tretāyugāni teṣvatra jāyante cakravartinaḥ //

Translation

In ages that are past and in those yet to come, as well as in those present here—within those Tretā-yugas, cakravartins (universal monarchs) are born.

Word by Word

• bhūta: past

• bhavya: future (yet to come)

• yāni: which (ages/periods)

• iha: here/in this context

• vartamānāni: present (currently existing)

• ca: and

• tretā-yugāni: the Tretā-yugas

• teṣu: in those (times)

• atra: here/therein

• jāyante: are born/arise

• cakravartinaḥ: wheel-turning universal emperors/sovereigns

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Tretā-yuga
• Cakravartin

Tags

• Yugas
• Dynasties
• Kingship
• Cakravartin
• Royal Genealogy

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes cyclical time—past, present, and future ages—and notes that cakravartin kings arise specifically in Tretā-yuga cycles.

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

By highlighting the birth of cakravartins in Tretā-yuga, it points to an ideal of universal, dharma-guided sovereignty—suggesting that righteous rule is a yuga-linked archetype within the Purana’s model of social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is temporal classification (yugas) and the emergence of universal monarchs.