Shloka 70

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

नष्टे धर्मे प्रतिहता ह्रस्वकाः पञ्चविंशकाः हित्वा दारांश्च पुत्रांश्च विषादव्याकुलप्रजाः //

Transliteration

naṣṭe dharme pratihatā hrasvakāḥ pañcaviṃśakāḥ hitvā dārāṃśca putrāṃśca viṣādavyākulaprajāḥ //

Translation

When dharma has perished, people become thwarted and diminished—their lives reduced to twenty-five years; abandoning wives and sons, the populace is shaken and distressed by sorrow.

Word by Word

• naṣṭe: when destroyed/perished

• dharme: dharma, righteousness, sacred order

• pratihatāḥ: obstructed, frustrated, thwarted

• hrasvakāḥ: shortened, reduced, stunted (in lifespan/strength)

• pañcaviṃśakāḥ: twenty-five (years)

• hitvā: having abandoned, leaving aside

• dārān: wives

• ca: and

• putrān: sons/children

• ca: and

• viṣāda: grief, despair

• vyākula: agitated, disturbed

• prajāḥ: people, subjects, populace

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dharma

Tags

• Kali Yuga
• Dharma
• Social Disorder
• Decline of Lifespan
• Puranic Ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; it portrays a moral and social “dissolution” where dharma collapses, lifespan shortens, and society becomes grief-stricken.

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

It functions as a warning: when dharma is neglected, people lose stability and even abandon family bonds—implying that rulers must protect dharma and householders must uphold family and social obligations to prevent social breakdown.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily an ethical-eschatological marker of Kali-yuga conditions.