Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

द्वापरे सर्वभूतानां कालः क्लेशपरः स्मृतः लोभो ऽधृतिर्वणिग्युद्धं तत्त्वानामविनिश्चयः //

Transliteration

dvāpare sarvabhūtānāṃ kālaḥ kleśaparaḥ smṛtaḥ lobho 'dhṛtirvaṇigyuddhaṃ tattvānāmaviniścayaḥ //

Translation

In the Dvāpara age, time is remembered as hardship-laden for all beings: greed prevails, steadfastness declines, trade turns into conflict, and certainty regarding true principles is lost.

Word by Word

• द्वापरे (dvāpare): in the Dvāpara Yuga

• सर्वभूतानाम् (sarvabhūtānām): of all beings

• कालः (kālaḥ): time/age

• क्लेशपरः (kleśaparaḥ): filled with affliction, dominated by suffering

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is said/remembered

• लोभः (lobhaḥ): greed

• अधृतिः (adhṛtiḥ): lack of firmness/steadfastness, instability

• वणिग्युद्धम् (vaṇig-yuddham): conflict/quarrel in commerce, mercantile warfare

• तत्त्वानाम् (tattvānām): of truths/first principles/realities

• अविनिश्चयः (aviniścayaḥ): indecision, lack of ascertainment, uncertainty

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvapara Yuga
• Kala (Time)

Tags

• Yuga Dharma
• Dvapara Yuga
• Ethics
• Social Decline
• Greed

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it outlines the moral and social condition of the Dvāpara Yuga—time itself becoming a source of affliction, leading to disorder and confusion about truth.

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

By highlighting greed, instability, and conflict in trade, it implies that rulers and householders must restrain lobha (greed), uphold fairness in commerce, and cultivate dhṛti (steadfastness) and clarity of tattva to prevent social fracture.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this verse; its practical takeaway is ethical—without steadiness and truth-discernment, even sacred and civic works (including temple and town projects) become vulnerable to dispute and corruption.