Shloka 85

Matsya Purana — Characteristics of Dvāpara and Kali Yugas

Devanagari script

एवं वर्षशतं दिव्यं संध्यांशस्तस्य वर्तते ततो वर्षशतस्यान्ते अल्पशिष्टाः स्त्रियः सुताः //

Transliteration

evaṃ varṣaśataṃ divyaṃ saṃdhyāṃśastasya vartate tato varṣaśatasyānte alpaśiṣṭāḥ striyaḥ sutāḥ //

Translation

Thus, for a hundred divine years, its twilight-phase (the residual interval) continues; and when that hundred years comes to an end, only a small remnant remains—women and children.

Word by Word

• evam: thus

• varṣa-śatam: a hundred years

• divyam: divine (celestial)

• saṃdhyā-aṃśaḥ: the twilight portion/interval (transition phase)

• tasya: of that (period/age)

• vartate: continues/prevails

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• varṣa-śatasya ante: at the end of the hundred years

• alpa-śiṣṭāḥ: few remaining, a small remnant

• striyaḥ: women

• sutāḥ: children/sons (offspring)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Pralaya discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Pralaya (implied)
• Saṃdhyā (twilight period)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Deluge
• Saṃdhyā-kāla
• Cosmic cycles
• Manu narrative

FAQs

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

It indicates a transitional ‘twilight’ period lasting a hundred divine years during dissolution, after which humanity is reduced to a very small remnant—specifically women and children—highlighting the severity of the end-phase.

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

By stressing the fragility of worldly continuity during cosmic transitions, it implicitly supports the Purāṇic ethic of preparedness, protection of dependents, and dharmic stewardship—especially safeguarding the vulnerable when calamity or decline arises.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the key ritual-cosmological idea is the ‘saṃdhyā-aṃśa’ (twilight interval), a transitional time often treated as spiritually sensitive in Purāṇic and Smārta practice.