Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

अधार्मिकाश्च ये केचित् तान्सर्वान्हन्ति सर्वशः उदीच्यान्मध्यदेशांश्च पार्वतीयांस्तथैव च //

Transliteration

adhārmikāśca ye kecit tānsarvānhanti sarvaśaḥ udīcyānmadhyadeśāṃśca pārvatīyāṃstathaiva ca //

Translation

Whoever are unrighteous, he destroys them all, in every way—whether they are in the northern regions, the Middle Country, or likewise among the mountain-dwellers.

Word by Word

अधार्मिकाः (adhārmikāḥ)unrighteous people

च (ca)and

ये (ye)who

केचित् (kecit)any, whoever

तान् (tān)them

सर्वान् (sarvān)all

हन्ति (hanti)slays/destroys/punishes

सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ)entirely, in all ways, everywhere

उदीच्यान् (udīcyān)northerners/people of the northern region

मध्यदेशान् (madhyadeśān)people of the Madhyadeśa (Middle Country)

च (ca)and

पार्वतीयान् (pārvatīyān)mountain people/dwellers in hilly regions

तथा एव (tathaiva)likewise, in the same manner

च (ca)and.

Speaker

Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on rajadharma (kingly duty)

Entities Mentioned

Lord MatsyaVaivasvata ManuUdīcya (Northern regions)Madhyadeśa (Middle Country)Pārvatīya (Mountain regions)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on governance—stating that unrighteousness must be eradicated across all regions, indicating a moral-social order rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports rajadharma: a king must protect society by firmly punishing adharmic persons without regional bias—north, the Madhyadeśa, or mountainous areas—so that dharma remains stable.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the significance is administrative—upholding dharma through danda (punishment) across the realm.