Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 34

Devanagari script

चत्वारिंशत्सहस्राणि मनोरन्तरमुच्यते मन्वन्तरस्य कालस्तु युगैः सह प्रकीर्तितः //

Transliteration

catvāriṃśatsahasrāṇi manorantaramucyate manvantarasya kālastu yugaiḥ saha prakīrtitaḥ //

Translation

നാല്പതിനായിരം കാലം ‘മനോരന്തര’മെന്ന് പറയുന്നു; മന്വന്തരത്തിന്റെ കാലം യുഗങ്ങളോടുകൂടി ഇങ്ങനെ പ്രസ്താവിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• catvāriṃśat-sahasrāṇi: forty thousand

• manorantaram (manu-antaram): the interval between Manus / the inter-Manu period

• ucyate: is said / is stated

• manvantarasya: of a Manvantara (the reign/period of a Manu)

• kālaḥ: time-span / duration

• tu: indeed / and

• yugaiḥ saha: together with the Yugas

• prakīrtitaḥ: is declared / is set forth

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on cosmic chronology

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Manvantara
• Yuga

Tags

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• CosmicTime
• PuranicChronology
• CreationCycles

FAQs

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

It frames creation and dissolution as recurring, measurable cycles: Manvantaras proceed with Yugas, and even the transition between Manus (manorantara) has a defined duration.

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

By emphasizing long cosmic cycles, it encourages dharmic steadiness—kings and householders should act with a sense of time-tested order (yuga-dharma), not short-lived impulse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the significance is indirect—ritual calendars and temple traditions often align observances to yuga/manvantara concepts taught in Purāṇic chronology.