Shloka 84

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

एवं क्षयं गमिष्यन्ति ह्य् अल्पशिष्टाः प्रजास्तदा तासामल्पावशिष्टानाम् आहारादृद्धिरिष्यते //

Transliteration

evaṃ kṣayaṃ gamiṣyanti hy alpaśiṣṭāḥ prajāstadā tāsāmalpāvaśiṣṭānām āhārādṛddhiriṣyate //

Translation

Thus, the remaining creatures will indeed go to ruin; and then, for those who are left in only small number, their increase will be said to arise from food (i.e., by the availability of sustenance).

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• kṣayam: to destruction/decline

• gamiṣyanti: will go/will proceed

• hi: indeed

• alpa-śiṣṭāḥ: those remaining in small number/survivors

• prajāḥ: beings/creatures/subjects

• tadā: then/at that time

• tāsām: of them

• alpa-avaśiṣṭānām: of those few who remain

• āhārāt: from food/sustenance

• ṛddhiḥ: growth/increase/prosperity

• iṣyate: is considered/is declared (to be).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s pralaya/decline discourse)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kali Yuga
• Kshaya
• Population Decline
• Sustenance

FAQs

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

It describes a phase of dissolution/decline where beings become few and approach ruin, followed by a practical mechanism of recovery: whatever survivors remain grow again when sustenance (āhāra) becomes available.

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

By implication, it highlights āhāra (food supply) as foundational for social continuity—supporting the king’s duty to protect agriculture and distribution, and the householder’s duty to produce and share food through righteous livelihood and hospitality.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is indirect—ritual order and settlement stability depend on reliable food systems, which are prerequisites for sustaining communities after periods of decline.