Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

वेदशास्त्रप्रणयनं धर्माणां संकरस्तथा वर्णाश्रमपरिध्वंसः कामद्वेषौ तथैव च //

Transliteration

vedaśāstrapraṇayanaṃ dharmāṇāṃ saṃkarastathā varṇāśramaparidhvaṃsaḥ kāmadveṣau tathaiva ca //

Translation

There will be the fabrication of new Vedic and legal treatises; a confusion and intermixture of dharmic norms; the destruction of the system of social and spiritual orders (varṇa and āśrama); and likewise the rise of desire (kāma) and hatred (dveṣa).

Word by Word

• veda: the Veda

• śāstra: treatise/law-code

• praṇayanam: composing/producing (often implying contrivance)

• dharmāṇām: of dharmas, moral/religious duties

• saṃkaraḥ: mixture, confusion, adulteration

• tathā: and also

• varṇa: social class/order

• āśrama: life-stage/spiritual discipline

• paridhvaṃsaḥ: ruin, collapse, destruction

• kāma: desire, craving

• dveṣau: hatred, aversion

• tathaiva: likewise

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (context: prophetic description of yuga-decline)

Entities Mentioned

• Veda
• Śāstra
• Dharma
• Varṇa
• Āśrama
• Kāma
• Dveṣa

Tags

• Kali-yuga
• Dharma
• Varṇāśrama
• Social disorder
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe physical pralaya; it describes moral and social dissolution—dharma-saṃkara, the collapse of varṇāśrama discipline, and the dominance of kāma (craving) and dveṣa (hatred).

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

It implies that rulers and householders must preserve authentic śāstra-based conduct, prevent dharma-saṃkara (norm-confusion), protect varṇāśrama duties through fair governance and education, and restrain passions like desire and hatred that destabilize society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated; ritually, it warns that when people invent or distort ‘Vedic-śāstra’ norms, correct rites and dharmic procedures become corrupted—so tradition and qualified transmission are essential.