Shloka 80

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

अथ दीर्घेण कालेन पक्षिणः पशवस्तथा मत्स्याश्चैव हताः सर्वैः क्षुधाविष्टैश्च सर्वशः //

Transliteration

atha dīrgheṇa kālena pakṣiṇaḥ paśavastathā matsyāścaiva hatāḥ sarvaiḥ kṣudhāviṣṭaiśca sarvaśaḥ //

Translation

Then, after a long time had passed, birds, beasts, and even fish were slaughtered everywhere by all people, driven on every side by the torment of hunger.

Word by Word

• अथ (atha): then

• दीर्घेण कालेन (dīrgheṇa kālena): after a long time/over a long period

• पक्षिणः (pakṣiṇaḥ): birds

• पशवः (paśavaḥ): animals/beasts

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• मत्स्याः (matsyāḥ): fish

• च एव (ca eva): and even/also

• हताः (hatāḥ): killed/slain

• सर्वैः (sarvaiḥ): by all (people)

• क्षुधाविष्टैः (kṣudhāviṣṭaiḥ): afflicted/possessed by hunger

• च (ca): and

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): everywhere/in every way/on all sides.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Purana’s account (likely within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Pakṣi (birds)
• Paśu (animals)
• Matsya (fish)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Famine
• Kali-yuga conditions
• Social breakdown
• Ahimsa reversal

FAQs

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

It depicts a dissolution-like breakdown of order where famine becomes so severe that normal restraints collapse and all beings (even birds, animals, and fish) are killed for survival—an indicator of societal unraveling that often accompanies pralaya-style calamities in Purana narratives.

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

By showing hunger-driven violence, the verse implicitly highlights the king’s duty to prevent famine (food security, protection of life) and the householder’s duty to uphold restraint and dharma even in hardship—core concerns in Puranic governance and ethical living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu Shastra or ritual procedure is stated; the practical takeaway is contextual—calamity and famine are conditions under which normal ritual regularity and temple economies can fail, a theme often used to stress preparedness and righteous governance rather than construction rules.