Matsya Purana — Measures of Time: Caturyuga Computation, Shloka 51

Devanagari script

ततः समुदिता वर्णास् त्रेतायां धर्मशालिनः क्रियावन्तः प्रजावन्तः समृद्धाः सुखिनश्च वै //

Transliteration

tataḥ samuditā varṇās tretāyāṃ dharmaśālinaḥ kriyāvantaḥ prajāvantaḥ samṛddhāḥ sukhinaśca vai //

Translation

അനന്തരം ത്രേതായുഗത്തിൽ ധർമ്മനിഷ്ഠരും വിധികർമനിരതരുമായ, സന്താനസമ്പന്നരും സമൃദ്ധരും സുഖികളുമായ വർണങ്ങൾ സുസ്ഥിരമായി സ്ഥാപിതമായി।

Word by Word

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• समुदिता (samuditā): arisen, fully formed, well-established

• वर्णास् (varṇās): the social orders (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra)

• त्रेतायाम् (tretāyām): in the Tretā-yuga

• धर्मशालिनः (dharmaśālinaḥ): possessing/abiding in dharma, righteous

• क्रियावन्तः (kriyāvantaḥ): engaged in rites and prescribed actions (karma, yajña, saṃskāras)

• प्रजावन्तः (prajāvantaḥ): possessing offspring, fruitful in lineage

• समृद्धाः (samṛddhāḥ): prosperous, flourishing

• सुखिनः (sukhinaḥ): happy, content

• च (ca): and

• वै (vai): indeed, verily (emphatic particle).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Tretā-yuga
• Varṇas
• Dharma

Tags

• Yuga Dharma
• Varna
• Ritual Duties
• Prosperity
• Social Order

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it characterizes the post-cosmic-order world of the Tretā-yuga, where dharma and social structure are firmly established.

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

By praising a society that is dharma-centered and kriyā-oriented, the verse implies that rulers should uphold varṇa-based order and that householders should perform prescribed rites, sustain lineage, and support prosperity through righteous conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key point is ritual: “kriyāvantaḥ” highlights commitment to yajñas, saṃskāras, and prescribed religious duties—an enabling foundation for temple/ritual culture, though no specific Vāstu rule is stated in this verse.