Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

शूद्राणां मन्त्रयोनिस्तु सम्बन्धो ब्राह्मणैः सह भवतीह कलौ तस्मिञ् छयनासनभोजनैः //

Transliteration

śūdrāṇāṃ mantrayonistu sambandho brāhmaṇaiḥ saha bhavatīha kalau tasmiñ chayanāsanabhojanaiḥ //

Translation

In that Kali age, a Śūdra’s claim to mantra-initiation (as a ‘source of mantra’) and close association with Brāhmaṇas will come to be—sharing beds, seats, and food together.

Word by Word

• शूद्राणाम् (śūdrāṇām): of Śūdras

• मन्त्रयोनिः (mantrayoniḥ): mantra-source/eligibility for mantra-initiation

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• सम्बन्धः (sambandhaḥ): association/relationship

• ब्राह्मणैः (brāhmaṇaiḥ): with Brāhmaṇas

• सह (saha): together/with

• भवति (bhavati): becomes/occurs

• इह (iha): here/in this world

• कलौ (kalau): in Kali(-yuga)

• तस्मिन् (tasmin): in that (time/age)

• छयन (chayana): bed/reclining

• आसन (āsana): seat

• भोजनैः (bhojanaiḥ): by food/through eating (together)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction/prophecy to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kali-yuga
• Śūdra
• Brāhmaṇa
• Mantra

Tags

• Kali-yuga
• Dharma
• Varna
• Social change
• Ritual eligibility

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes Kali-yuga social conditions—especially changing boundaries of association and ritual status between varṇas.

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

It functions as a Kali-yuga diagnostic: a king or householder is urged (by implication) to uphold dharma and social-ritual discipline, since commensality and intimacy across traditional boundaries are presented here as markers of moral and ritual decline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is mantra-related eligibility and commensality rules (eating/sitting/reclining together), which in Dharma literature affect purity norms and who may participate in certain rites.