Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

आध्वर्यवं च प्रस्थानैर् बहुधा व्याकुलीकृतम् तथैवाथर्वणां साम्नां विकल्पैः स्वस्य संक्षयैः //

Transliteration

ādhvaryavaṃ ca prasthānair bahudhā vyākulīkṛtam tathaivātharvaṇāṃ sāmnāṃ vikalpaiḥ svasya saṃkṣayaiḥ //

Translation

The Adhvaryu tradition (of the Yajurveda) was thrown into confusion in many ways by divergent lineages and procedures; likewise, the Atharvan and the Sāman traditions were affected by alternative readings and by the decline or loss of their own corpus.

Word by Word

• ādhvaryavam: the Adhvaryu/Yajurvedic tradition

• ca: and

• prasthānaiḥ: by (different) paths/lineages/ritual procedures

• bahudhā: in many ways

• vyākulīkṛtam: made confused/perturbed/disordered

• tathā eva: just so/likewise

• atharvaṇām: of the Atharvans (Atharvaveda tradition)

• sāmnām: of the Sāmans (Sāmaveda tradition)

• vikalpaiḥ: by alternatives/variant options/variant recensions

• svasya: of its own

• saṃkṣayaiḥ: by diminutions/declines/losses.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Adhvaryu (Yajurveda tradition)
• Atharvaveda
• Samaveda

Tags

• Vedic recensions
• Ritual procedure
• Śrauta
• Textual variants
• Dharma preservation

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya directly; it highlights a cultural/ritual decline—Vedic traditions becoming fragmented through variant procedures and partial loss of textual material.

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

By implying that dharma depends on stable Vedic transmission, it supports the king’s duty to protect learned lineages and the householder’s duty to maintain correct ritual practice through competent teachers rather than confused, competing variants.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it points to divergences in Śrauta performance and Vedic śākhā traditions (Adhvaryu/Yajur, Atharvan, Sāman), warning that alternative readings and losses can disrupt proper sacrificial procedure.