Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Nārāyaṇa as Haṃsa in the Cosmic Ocean: Vedic Yajña-Puruṣa and Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vi...

Devanagari script

कृतान्तः सर्वभूतानां विश्वेषां कालसंज्ञितः अहं धर्मस्तपश्चाहं सर्वाश्रमनिवासिनाम् //

Transliteration

kṛtāntaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ viśveṣāṃ kālasaṃjñitaḥ ahaṃ dharmastapaścāhaṃ sarvāśramanivāsinām //

Translation

I am Kṛtānta—the final end—for all beings; for the whole universe I am known as Time. I am Dharma, and I am also Tapas (austerity) for those who dwell in every āśrama (stage of life).

Word by Word

• kṛtāntaḥ: the Ender, Death as the inevitable conclusion

• sarva-bhūtānām: of all living beings

• viśveṣām: of all (in the universe), of the entire cosmos

• kāla-saṃjñitaḥ: designated/known as Time

• aham: I

• dharmaḥ: righteousness, moral law, sacred duty

• tapaḥ: austerity, disciplined spiritual heat

• ca: and

• aham: I (am)

• sarvāśrama-nivāsinām: of those abiding in all āśramas (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, saṃnyāsa)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (context: instruction on Kāla as cosmic authority)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāla
• Kṛtānta
• Dharma
• Tapas
• Āśramas

Tags

• Kāla
• Death
• Dharma
• Tapas
• Āśrama-dharma

FAQs

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

It frames Kāla (Time) as the universal force that brings all beings to their end (Kṛtānta), implying that dissolution is ultimately governed by Time rather than by random events.

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

By identifying Dharma and Tapas as universally binding across all āśramas, it implies that rulers and householders must uphold righteousness and disciplined restraint, recognizing Time’s authority over power, wealth, and lifespan.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that Dharma and Tapas are the core disciplines underpinning all āśrama-based rites and daily observances.