Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Yuga Durations

Devanagari script

द्वापरं द्वे सहस्रे तु वर्षाणां रविनन्दन तस्य तावच्छती संध्या द्विगुणा युगमुच्यते //

Transliteration

dvāparaṃ dve sahasre tu varṣāṇāṃ ravinandana tasya tāvacchatī saṃdhyā dviguṇā yugamucyate //

Translation

O descendant of the Sun (Ravinandana), the Dvāpara Yuga lasts for two thousand years; its twilight period (sandhyā) is of the same measure in hundreds, and the yuga is said to be double when the junctions (dawn and dusk) are included.

Word by Word

• द्वापरम् (dvāparam): Dvāpara Yuga

• द्वे सहस्रे (dve sahasre): two thousand

• तु (tu): indeed

• वर्षाणाम् (varṣāṇām): of years

• रविनन्दन (ravinandana): O son/descendant of the Sun (a vocative epithet)

• तस्य (tasya): of it (of that yuga)

• तावत्-छती (tāvat-chatī): that many hundreds (i.e., 200)

• संध्या (saṃdhyā): twilight/junction period

• द्विगुणा (dviguṇā): doubled/twofold

• युगम् (yugam): the age/yuga

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/declared

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Dvapara Yuga
• Ravinandana (Solar dynasty epithet)
• Sandhya (Yuga junction period)

Tags

• Yuga
• Kalachakra
• Cosmic Time
• Manvantara
• Purana Chronology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it defines cosmic time (yuga-length and its junction periods), which is the chronological framework used in the Purana to situate creation, decline of dharma, and eventual dissolution.

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

By teaching yuga-measures, it implies that dharma and social duties are applied with awareness of the age’s conditions; rulers and householders are urged in the Purana to govern and live according to the moral strength of the yuga and its gradual transitions (sandhyā).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the practical link is that rituals (especially sandhyā-related observances) and calendrical timing in Purāṇic practice rely on accurate concepts of cosmic time and transitional periods.