Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Yuga Durations

Devanagari script

एषा त्रेतायुगगतिर् विचित्रा देवनिर्मिता द्वापरस्य तु या चेष्टा तामपि श्रोतुमर्हसि //

Transliteration

eṣā tretāyugagatir vicitrā devanirmitā dvāparasya tu yā ceṣṭā tāmapi śrotumarhasi //

Translation

“Such is the wondrous course of the Tretā Yuga, fashioned by the gods. Now you should also hear about the mode of conduct that belongs to the Dvāpara Yuga.”

Word by Word

• eṣā: this

• tretā-yuga-gatiḥ: the course/characteristic progression of the Tretā Yuga

• vicitrā: wondrous/variegated

• deva-nirmitā: fashioned/ordained by the gods

• dvāparasya: of the Dvāpara (Yuga)

• tu: and/now

• yā: which

• ceṣṭā: conduct, practice, customary activity

• tām api: that also

• śrotum: to hear

• arhasi: you are fit/you should

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructor) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (listener)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Tretā Yuga
• Dvāpara Yuga

Tags

• Yuga Dharma
• Cosmology
• Ethics
• Time Cycles
• Puranic Teaching

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames yuga-order as “deva-nirmitā” (divinely ordained), implying cosmic time and moral order are established by higher powers rather than random events.

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

It signals that dharma and social conduct are yuga-specific; rulers and householders must adjust governance, ritual emphasis, and ethical practice according to the prevailing yuga’s standards as taught in the subsequent verses.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/temple rule is stated; the ritual implication is that practices (ceṣṭā) change by yuga, so rites, austerities, and religious observances are presented as period-appropriate in the larger discourse.