Shloka 107

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

मन्वन्तराणां परिवर्तनानि चिरप्रवृत्तानि युगस्वभावात् क्षणं न संतिष्ठति जीवलोकः क्षयोदयाभ्यां परिवर्तमानः //

Transliteration

manvantarāṇāṃ parivartanāni cirapravṛttāni yugasvabhāvāt kṣaṇaṃ na saṃtiṣṭhati jīvalokaḥ kṣayodayābhyāṃ parivartamānaḥ //

Translation

The alternations of the Manvantaras have been proceeding since ancient times, by the very nature of the Yugas. The world of living beings does not remain fixed even for a moment, ever turning through decline and rise.

Word by Word

• मन्वन्तराणाम् (manvantarāṇām): of the Manvantaras (Manu-periods)

• परिवर्तनानि (parivartanāni): changes, alternations

• चिरप्रवृत्तानि (cirapravṛttāni): long-continuing, long in operation

• युगस्वभावात् (yugasvabhāvāt): due to the inherent nature of the yugas (world-ages)

• क्षणम् (kṣaṇam): for a moment

• न (na): not

• संतिष्ठति (saṃtiṣṭhati): remains steady, stands still

• जीवलोकः (jīvalokaḥ): the world of living beings

• क्षयोदयाभ्याम् (kṣayodayābhyām): by decline (decay) and rise (renewal)

• परिवर्तमानः (parivartamānaḥ): revolving, undergoing change.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this cosmological teaching in the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Manvantara
• Yuga
• Jivaloka

Tags

• Manvantara
• Yuga cycles
• Cosmology
• Pralaya
• Impermanence

FAQs

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

It frames existence as cyclical: the living world continually moves through kṣaya (decline) and udaya (renewal), implying recurring dissolution-and-recreation dynamics rather than a single, final end.

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

By stressing that nothing in jīvaloka is stable even for a moment, it supports the Matsya Purana’s ethical emphasis on timely dharma—ruling, charity, ritual, and restraint should be practiced with urgency, without assuming permanence of power, wealth, or life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule is stated; the takeaway is ritual-temporal: rites and dharmic works should be aligned with time (yuga/kāla awareness), since conditions continually shift through decline and renewal.