Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 43

Devanagari script

सत्येन ब्रह्मचर्येण श्रुतेन तपसा तथा तेषां सुतप्ततपसाम् आर्षेणानुक्रमेण ह //

Transliteration

satyena brahmacaryeṇa śrutena tapasā tathā teṣāṃ sutaptatapasām ārṣeṇānukrameṇa ha //

Translation

Par la vérité, par la discipline du brahmacarya, par l’étude sacrée (śruti) et aussi par l’austérité (tapas) : ainsi, pour ces sages qui ont accompli une pénitence intensément ardente, leur succession est préservée selon la lignée des ṛṣi et son ordre légitime.

Word by Word

• सत्येन (satyena): by truthfulness

• ब्रह्मचर्येण (brahmacaryeṇa): by brahmacarya/celibate discipline

• श्रुतेन (śrutena): by śruti, Vedic learning

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity/penance

• तथा (tathā): and likewise

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• सुतप्ततपसाम् (sutaptatapasām): of those whose tapas is intensely performed (lit. well-heated austerities)

• आर्षेण (ārṣeṇa): according to the ṛṣis / pertaining to seers

• अनुक्रमेण (anukrameṇa): in due sequence, in proper order

• ह (ha): indeed/assuredly (emphatic particle).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching to Vaivasvata Manu, in the Purāṇic dialogue style)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Śruti
• Brahmacarya
• Tapas
• Satya

Tags

• Dharma
• Brahmacarya
• Tapas
• Rishi Lineage
• Vedic Study

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it emphasizes the sustaining power of dharma—truth, brahmacarya, Vedic learning, and tapas—by which the rishi tradition and its ordered succession endure across ages.

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

It frames the king’s and householder’s support of dharma: protect truthfulness in society, honor brahmacarya and disciplined conduct, patronize Vedic study, and respect ascetics—thereby safeguarding the continuity of sacred lineages and teaching traditions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is that śruti-study and tapas are foundational qualifications for ṛṣis, which underpins the authority behind later ritual and temple prescriptions.