Shloka 68

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

व्याकुलास्ताः परावृत्तास् त्यक्त्वा देवं गृहाणि तु स्वान्स्वान्प्राणानवेक्षन्तो निष्कारुण्यात् सुदुःखिताः //

Transliteration

vyākulāstāḥ parāvṛttās tyaktvā devaṃ gṛhāṇi tu svānsvānprāṇānavekṣanto niṣkāruṇyāt suduḥkhitāḥ //

Translation

Agitated and turning back, they abandoned the deity and even their homes; through pitilessness they did not look after one another’s very lives, and thus became exceedingly sorrowful.

Word by Word

vyākulāḥdistressed, agitated

tāḥthey (those people/women)

parāvṛttāḥturned back, retreated

tyaktvāhaving abandoned

devamthe deity (household/temple deity)

gṛhāṇihomes, houses

tuand/indeed

svān svānone’s own (each their own)

prāṇānlives, vital breaths

avekṣantaḥnot looking after, not caring for

niṣkāruṇyātdue to lack of compassion, from cruelty/pitilessness

su-duḥkhitāḥextremely afflicted, deeply sorrowful.

Speaker

Suta (narrative voice recounting events; within the Matsya–Manu frame-story)

Entities Mentioned

Deva (household/temple deity)

FAQs

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

It depicts the social and moral breakdown that accompanies catastrophe: people, overwhelmed by fear, abandon worship and home, and compassion collapses—an ethical symptom of Pralaya’s upheaval.

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

It implies that dharma in crisis includes protecting life and maintaining compassion; abandoning dependents and neglecting worship are shown as causes of deeper misery—guiding rulers and householders toward relief, protection, and steadiness in rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it notes the abandonment of the household/temple deity (deva), highlighting that in Purāṇic life the home/settlement is anchored by worship; severing that link is portrayed as a grave sign of disorder, even when people flee dwellings.