Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

स्थाविर्ये मध्यकौमारे म्रियन्ते च कलौ प्रजाः अल्पतेजोबलाः पापा महाकोपा ह्यधार्मिकाः //

Transliteration

sthāvirye madhyakaumāre mriyante ca kalau prajāḥ alpatejobalāḥ pāpā mahākopā hyadhārmikāḥ //

Translation

In the Kali age, people die both in old age and in the midst of youth; they are of little radiance and strength, sinful, prone to great anger, and devoid of dharma.

Word by Word

• स्थाविर्ये: in old age

• मध्यकौमारे: in mid-youth

• म्रियन्ते: die

• च: and

• कलौ: in Kali (age)

• प्रजाः: people/subjects

• अल्पतेजोबलाः: of little vigor, brilliance, and strength

• पापा: sinful/wicked

• महाकोपाः: greatly wrathful, quick to anger

• हि: indeed

• अधार्मिकाः: unrighteous, lacking dharma

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s discourse format)

Entities Mentioned

• Kali (Kali-yuga)
• prajāḥ (people/subjects)
• dharma

Tags

• KaliYuga
• DharmaDecline
• SocialEthics
• HumanLifespan
• Anger

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic pralaya; it describes social and moral deterioration in Kali-yuga—shortened vitality, increased sin, anger, and loss of dharma among people.

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

By portraying subjects as weak, irritable, and adharmic in Kali-yuga, it implies that kings and householders must actively uphold dharma—through self-restraint, just governance, ethical livelihood, and curbing anger and vice—to stabilize society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is contextual—ritual discipline and dharmic conduct are presented as remedies for Kali-yuga’s moral volatility.