Shloka 64

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

ततस्तेषु प्रनष्टेषु संध्यांशे कूरकर्मसु उत्साद्य पार्थिवान्सर्वांस् तेष्वतीतेषु वै तदा //

Transliteration

tatasteṣu pranaṣṭeṣu saṃdhyāṃśe kūrakarmasu utsādya pārthivānsarvāṃs teṣvatīteṣu vai tadā //

Translation

Then, when those (times and observances) had perished—when the twilight-junction of the age had set in and base deeds prevailed—he brought about the destruction of all earthly kings; and when they had passed away, then the next phase unfolded.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• teṣu: in/among those (conditions or beings)

• pranaṣṭeṣu: having been destroyed, having perished

• saṃdhyā-aṃśe: in the twilight portion/junctional phase (of an age)

• kūra-karmasu: in cruel/base/wicked actions (prevailing)

• utsādya: having uprooted, destroyed, caused to be exterminated

• pārthivān: earthly kings/rulers

• sarvān: all

• teṣu-atīteṣu: when they had gone/passed away

• vai: indeed

• tadā: at that time.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this Pralaya-oriented narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Pārthiva (earthly kings)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Yuga-sandhi
• Kṣaya (decline)
• Kingship
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It frames dissolution as beginning with a yuga-junction (saṃdhyā) where order collapses and destructive forces remove unrighteous rulers, marking the onset of a larger cycle-change.

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

By highlighting the ruin of “pārthivas” during moral twilight, it implies that kings who tolerate or embody kūra-karmas lose legitimacy and stability; dharma-protection is presented as the condition for enduring rule.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct vastu/ritual rule is stated; the verse instead provides the cosmic-ethical backdrop (yuga-sandhi and decline) often used in the Purana to contextualize why correct rites and dharmic governance become endangered.