Shloka 73

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमपरिभ्रष्टाः संकरं घोरमास्थिताः एवं कष्टमनुप्राप्ता ह्य् अल्पशेषाः प्रजास्ततः //

Transliteration

varṇāśramaparibhraṣṭāḥ saṃkaraṃ ghoramāsthitāḥ evaṃ kaṣṭamanuprāptā hy alpaśeṣāḥ prajāstataḥ //

Translation

Having fallen away from the discipline of varṇa and āśrama, the people entered a dreadful state of social mixture and disorder. Thus they came to great suffering, and as a result only a small remnant of the population was left.

Word by Word

• वर्णाश्रम (varṇāśrama): the varṇa-and-āśrama order

• परिभ्रष्टाः (paribhraṣṭāḥ): fallen away, deviated

• संकरम् (saṅkaram): intermixture, social confusion (varṇa-saṅkara)

• घोरम् (ghoram): dreadful, terrible

• आस्थिताः (āsthitāḥ): having resorted to, entered

• एवम् (evam): thus

• कष्टम् (kaṣṭam): hardship, suffering

• अनुप्राप्ताः (anuprāptāḥ): having attained/undergone

• हि (hi): indeed

• अल्प-शेषाः (alpa-śeṣāḥ): few remaining, a small remnant

• प्रजाः (prajāḥ): the people, subjects

• ततः (tataḥ): therefore, from that cause

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu on the characteristics of the age)

Entities Mentioned

• Varṇāśrama
• Prajā (subjects/people)

Tags

• Kali Yuga
• Dharma
• Varṇāśrama
• Social disorder
• Puranic ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya directly; it depicts a social “dissolution” in Kali Yuga—when deviation from varṇāśrama leads to disorder, widespread suffering, and a reduced population.

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

It implies that rulers and householders must uphold varṇāśrama-based duties (discipline, ethical conduct, proper rites and responsibilities) to prevent varṇa-saṅkara-like disorder and the societal suffering that follows.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that abandoning prescribed dharma (including life-stage duties and rites) is portrayed as a root cause of communal decline.