Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

राजानः शूद्रभूयिष्ठाः पाषण्डानां प्रवृत्तयः काषायिणश्च निष्कच्छास् तथा कापालिनश्च ह //

Transliteration

rājānaḥ śūdrabhūyiṣṭhāḥ pāṣaṇḍānāṃ pravṛttayaḥ kāṣāyiṇaśca niṣkacchās tathā kāpālinaśca ha //

Translation

Kings will become largely śūdra-like in conduct; heretical sects will proliferate. There will be many who wear ochre robes, along with outcast wanderers, and also skull-bearing ascetics (kāpālikas).

Word by Word

• राजानः: kings

• शूद्र-भूयिष्ठाः: predominantly śūdra-like / of low conduct

• पाषण्डानाम्: of heretics / heterodox sectarians

• प्रवृत्तयः: activities, movements, spread

• काषायिणः: those wearing ochre/renunciant robes

• च: and

• निष्कच्छाः: outcasts, expelled persons, vagrants (niṣkaccha)

• तथा: likewise

• कापालिनः: skull-bearing ascetics (kāpālika)

• च: and

• ह: indeed / verily

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu on future-age characteristics)

Entities Mentioned

• Kings (Rājānaḥ)
• Pāṣaṇḍa groups (heterodox sectarians)
• Kāṣāyī (ochre-robed ascetics)
• Kāpālika (skull-bearing ascetics)

Tags

• Kali-yuga
• Rajadharma
• Social Decline
• Heresy (Pāṣaṇḍa)
• Ascetic Orders

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution (pralaya); it describes Kali-yuga social symptoms—degradation of rulers and the spread of heterodox or disruptive religious movements.

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

It functions as a warning that kings must uphold rajadharma—self-control, protection of varṇa-āśrama order, and support of legitimate dharma—otherwise society fills with disorderly factions and unstable leadership.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is socioreligious—external marks like ochre robes can become common without inner discipline, so dharma must be judged by conduct and adherence to proper rites.