Shloka 33
ये मधुच्छन्दसो ज्येष्ठा: कुशलं मेनिरे न तत् । अशपत् तान्मुनि: क्रुद्धो म्लेच्छा भवत दुर्जना: ॥ ३३ ॥
ye madhucchandaso jyeṣṭhāḥ kuśalaṁ menire na tat aśapat tān muniḥ kruddho mlecchā bhavata durjanāḥ
When asked to accept Śunaḥśepha as the eldest son, the elder fifty Madhucchandās refused. Therefore the sage Viśvāmitra, angered, cursed them: “O wicked sons, become mlecchas, opposed to Vedic culture.”
In Vedic literature there are names like mleccha and yavana. The mlecchas are understood to be those who do not follow the Vedic principles. In former days, the mlecchas were fewer, and Viśvāmitra Muni cursed his sons to become mlecchas. But in the present age, Kali-yuga, there is no need of cursing, for people are automatically mlecchas. This is only the beginning of Kali-yuga, but at the end of Kali-yuga the entire population will consist of mlecchas because no one will follow the Vedic principles. At that time the incarnation Kalki will appear. Mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavālam. He will kill all the mlecchas indiscriminately with his sword.
FAQs
It says that Madhucchandā’s elder sons refused to accept an auspicious decision, and the enraged sage cursed them to become mlecchas—people fallen from Vedic conduct.
Because they did not consent to what the sage considered the proper, auspicious course of action; their opposition was treated as grave disrespect, provoking the curse.
It highlights that pride and contempt for wise guidance can lead to degradation; humility, respect, and willingness to accept righteous counsel protect one’s character and future.