Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

कियता चैव कालेन शेते वै पुरुषोत्तमः कियन्तं वा स्वपिति च को ऽस्य कालस्य संभवः //

Transliteration

kiyatā caiva kālena śete vai puruṣottamaḥ kiyantaṃ vā svapiti ca ko 'sya kālasya saṃbhavaḥ //

Translation

“For how long a time does the Supreme Person (Puruṣottama) lie in repose? For how long does He sleep? And from where does this Time (kāla) itself arise?”

Word by Word

• कियता (kiyatā): by how much/for how long

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• कालेन (kālena): by time/for a duration of time

• शेते (śete): lies down, rests (in yogic repose)

• वै (vai): verily

• पुरुषोत्तमः (puruṣottamaḥ): the Supreme Person (Vishnu)

• कियन्तं (kiyantaṃ): how long (extent)

• वा (vā): or/indeed

• स्वपिति (svapiti): sleeps (cosmic sleep)

• च (ca): and

• कः (ko): who/what

• अस्य (asya): of this

• कालस्य (kālasya): of Time

• संभवः (saṃbhavaḥ): origin, arising, source

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (questioning Lord Matsya/Vishnu about cosmic time and dissolution)

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣottama
• Kāla (Time)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kāla
• Cosmic Sleep
• Vishnu
• Metaphysics

FAQs

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

It frames Pralaya as a cosmic ‘repose’ of the Supreme Person and asks about the duration and source of Time that governs cyclical dissolution and re-creation.

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

By emphasizing that even kingship and household life operate within Kāla, it points to humility, right timing, and dharmic action—performing duty without arrogance, aware of life’s impermanence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is conceptual—ritual calendars and temple rites depend on Kāla, whose ultimate source is being queried here.