Shloka 105

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

चतुर्दशसु तावन्तो ज्ञेया मन्वन्तरेष्विह आसुरी यातुधानी च पैशाची यक्षराक्षसी //

Transliteration

caturdaśasu tāvanto jñeyā manvantareṣviha āsurī yātudhānī ca paiśācī yakṣarākṣasī //

Translation

Across the fourteen Manvantaras, these are to be understood as existing here in like measure: the Asuric, the Yātudhānī, the Paiśācī, and the Yakṣa–Rākṣasī classes of beings.

Word by Word

• चतुर्दशसु (caturdaśasu): in the fourteen

• तावन्तो (tāvantaḥ): so many, of that number, in equal measure

• ज्ञेया (jñeyāḥ): are to be known/understood

• मन्वन्तरेषु (manvantareṣu): in the Manvantaras

• इह (iha): here, in this context/world-order

• आसुरी (āsurī): belonging to Asuras/demonic class

• यातुधानी (yātudhānī): of the Yātudhānas (malevolent spirits/ogre-like beings)

• च (ca): and

• पैशाची (paiśācī): of the Piśācas (ghoulish beings)

• यक्षराक्षसी (yakṣa-rākṣasī): of Yakṣas and Rākṣasas (nature-spirits and hostile demons).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Asuras
• Yātudhānas
• Piśācas
• Yakṣas
• Rākṣasas

Tags

• Manvantara
• Cosmology
• Puranic beings
• Asuras
• Genealogy

FAQs

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

It situates certain non-human classes (Asuras, Yātudhānas, Piśācas, Yakṣa–Rākṣasas) as recurring features across all fourteen Manvantaras, emphasizing cyclical cosmic order rather than a single pralaya event.

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

By acknowledging persistent categories of disruptive or liminal beings across ages, it implicitly supports the king’s duty of protection (rakṣaṇa) and the householder’s duty of maintaining ritual and moral order to counter disorderly influences.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the practical ritual takeaway is that these beings are part of the purāṇic worldview across ages, which underlies protective rites (rakṣā, śānti) commonly integrated into consecrations and household ceremonies.