Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

अनृतव्रतलुब्धाश्च पुष्ये चैव प्रजाः स्थिताः दुरिष्टैर्दुरधीतैश्च दुराचारैर्दुरागमैः //

Transliteration

anṛtavratalubdhāśca puṣye caiva prajāḥ sthitāḥ duriṣṭairduradhītaiśca durācārairdurāgamaiḥ //

Translation

In the (inauspicious) time of Puṣya, people will live as those devoted to false vows and driven by greed—corrupted by defective rites, faulty learning, wicked conduct, and evil teachings (scriptures and traditions).

Word by Word

• anṛta: untruth/falsehood

• vrata: vow/religious observance

• lubdha: greedy/covetous

• ca: and

• puṣye: in (the period of) Puṣya (nakṣatra/time-marker)

• eva: indeed

• prajāḥ: the people/subjects

• sthitāḥ: abiding/remaining

• duriṣṭaiḥ: by bad sacrifices/defective rites

• duradhītaiḥ: by badly learned (knowledge)/mislearning

• durācāraiḥ: by evil conduct

• durāgamaiḥ: by evil doctrines/approaches, improper scriptures or traditions

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within Kali-yuga description)

Entities Mentioned

• Puṣya
• prajāḥ (people/subjects)

Tags

• Kali Yuga
• Dharma Decline
• Social Corruption
• Ritual Degeneration
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes Kali-yuga degeneration—how society becomes dominated by false vows, greed, and corrupted ritual and learning.

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

It warns that subjects may fall into greed, mislearning, and bad conduct; a king (and householder leaders) should uphold true dharma—support sound teaching, restrain harmful practices, and promote truthful vows and ethical behavior.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it criticizes duriṣṭa—defective sacrifices/rites—implying that ceremonies must be performed with correct procedure, competent learning, and right intent rather than corrupted or self-serving forms.