Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Questions on Padmanabha’s Lotus-Creation in the Padma Mahakalpa; Prelude to N...

Devanagari script

कालः पाकश्च पक्ता च द्रष्टा स्वाध्याय एव च उच्यते विविधैर्देवैः स एवायं न तत्परम् //

Transliteration

kālaḥ pākaśca paktā ca draṣṭā svādhyāya eva ca ucyate vividhairdevaiḥ sa evāyaṃ na tatparam //

Translation

Time itself is called the ripening process, the ripener, the witness, and even self-study—so declare the gods in many ways. Yet this (Time), though spoken of thus, is not the final Supreme Reality.

Word by Word

• कालः (kālaḥ): Time

• पाकः (pākaḥ): ripening, maturation, fruition

• च (ca): and

• पक्ता (paktā): the ripener, the one who brings to fruition

• च (ca): and

• द्रष्टा (draṣṭā): the witness, seer

• स्वाध्यायः (svādhyāyaḥ): self-study, recitation/study of sacred texts

• एव (eva): indeed, even

• च (ca): and

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/called

• विविधैः (vividhaiḥ): by various, in diverse ways

• देवैः (devaiḥ): by the gods

• सः (saḥ): he/that

• एव (eva): indeed

• अयम् (ayam): this

• न (na): not

• तत्परम् (tat-param): the highest beyond that / the ultimate Supreme.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāla (Time)
• Devas

Tags

• Kāla
• Philosophy
• Karma-fruition
• Svādhyāya
• Witness-consciousness

FAQs

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

It frames Kāla (Time) as the universal regulator that brings all things to maturity and change—an idea central to cycles of creation and dissolution—yet it implies a reality beyond Time that ultimately governs or transcends these cycles.

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

By presenting Time as the ripener of actions (karma), it encourages disciplined conduct—righteous rule and household duties performed with awareness that results mature in due course—supported by svādhyāya (scriptural study) as a sustaining practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Direct Vāstu or temple rules are not stated; the ritual takeaway is the emphasis on svādhyāya—regular recitation/study—as a foundational discipline that supports correct ritual understanding and timing (kāla) in religious practice.