Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

आयुर्वेदविकल्पाश्च अङ्गानां ज्योतिषस्य च अर्थशास्त्रविकल्पाश्च हेतुशास्त्रविकल्पनम् //

Transliteration

āyurvedavikalpāśca aṅgānāṃ jyotiṣasya ca arthaśāstravikalpāśca hetuśāstravikalpanam //

Translation

And there are the various branches of Āyurveda, the subsidiary Vedic disciplines (Vedāṅgas), and Jyotiṣa (astral science); likewise, the various branches of Arthaśāstra (polity and statecraft) and the systematic formulations of Hetuśāstra (logic and reasoning).

Word by Word

• āyurveda: the science of life/medicine

• vikalpāḥ: varieties, alternative branches, subdivisions

• ca: and

• aṅgānām: of the (Vedic) limbs/auxiliaries (Vedāṅgas)

• jyotiṣasya: of Jyotiṣa (astronomy/astrology)

• arthaśāstra: treatise on polity, economics, governance

• hetuśāstra: science of reasons, logic

• vikalpanam: classification, systematic exposition, formulation

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ayurveda
• Vedangas
• Jyotisha
• Arthashastra
• Hetushastra

Tags

• Shastra
• Vidya-dana
• Ayurveda
• Jyotisha
• Arthashastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it catalogues branches of knowledge (medicine, Vedāṅgas, Jyotiṣa, polity, and logic), showing the Purana’s concern with preserving and transmitting learning across ages.

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

By naming Arthaśāstra and Hetuśāstra, the verse implies that rulers and householders should cultivate practical governance, ethical administration, and sound reasoning—skills central to dharma-based leadership and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu/temple rule appears in this verse; its ritual significance lies in treating structured knowledge (śāstra) as worthy of preservation and gifting (vidyā-dāna), a valued religious merit in the Matsya Purana.