Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Manvantaras

Devanagari script

तथैवायुः परिक्रान्तं युगधर्मेषु सर्वशः अस्थितिं च कलौ दृष्ट्वा भूतानामायुषश्च वै //

Transliteration

tathaivāyuḥ parikrāntaṃ yugadharmeṣu sarvaśaḥ asthitiṃ ca kalau dṛṣṭvā bhūtānāmāyuṣaśca vai //

Translation

So too, the span of life has shifted in every way according to the dharma of each age; and seeing the instability in the Kali age, one understands indeed the diminished lifespan of living beings.

Word by Word

• तथैव (tathaiva): likewise/so too

• आयुः (āyuḥ): lifespan, life-span

• परिक्रान्तम् (parikrāntam): has moved about/has changed/has passed into another state

• युगधर्मेषु (yuga-dharmeṣu): in the dharmas/laws proper to the yugas

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): entirely, in every respect

• अस्थितिम् (asthitim): instability, lack of steadiness (also: impermanence)

• च (ca): and

• कलौ (kalau): in the Kali yuga

• दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā): having seen/considered

• भूतानाम् (bhūtānām): of beings/creatures

• आयुषः (āyuṣaḥ): of lifespan

• च वै (ca vai): and indeed/and verily.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (context: yuga-dharma discourse in Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Kali Yuga
• Yuga-dharma
• Bhutas (living beings)

Tags

• Kali Yuga
• Yuga Dharma
• Lifespan
• Dharma decline
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes cyclical time by showing that lifespan and stability vary with yuga-dharma, especially becoming unstable in Kali Yuga.

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

By highlighting Kali-Yuga instability and reduced longevity, it implicitly urges kings and householders to prioritize practical dharma—ethical conduct, restraint, and timely performance of duties—since conditions are less steady and life is shorter.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated; the takeaway is contextual—Kali-Yuga instability encourages simpler, timely, and feasible ritual observances rather than overly elaborate undertakings.