Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

एवंविधाश्च ये केचिद् भवन्तीह कलौ युगे अधीयते तदा वेदाञ् छूद्रा धर्मार्थकोविदाः //

Transliteration

evaṃvidhāśca ye kecid bhavantīha kalau yuge adhīyate tadā vedāñ chūdrā dharmārthakovidāḥ //

Translation

Thus, people of such kinds—whoever they may be—arise here in the Kali age; and then even Śūdras study the Vedas and become proficient in dharma and artha, righteous duty and practical welfare.

Word by Word

• evaṃvidhāḥ: of such a kind

• ca: and

• ye: who

• kecit: some/any

• bhavanti: come to be/arise

• iha: here (in this world)

• kalau yuge: in the Kali age

• tadā: then/at that time

• vedān: the Vedas

• adhīyate: are studied/recited/learnt

• śūdrāḥ: Śūdras

• dharma-artha-kovidāḥ: skilled/learned in dharma and artha

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu about Kali-yuga characteristics)

Entities Mentioned

• Kali Yuga
• Vedas
• Shudra
• Dharma
• Artha

Tags

• KaliYuga
• Dharma
• VedicStudy
• SocialOrder
• MatsyaPurana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes a Kali-yuga condition—changes in who studies the Vedas and who becomes skilled in dharma and artha.

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

It signals that in Kali-yuga, social and educational norms shift; a king or householder should focus on sustaining dharma and practical welfare (artha) through right instruction and governance rather than relying only on inherited status.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu/temple-architecture rule is stated here; the verse concerns Vedic study and competence in dharma-artha rather than ritual procedure or building canons.