Shloka 71

Matsya Purana — Paurava Genealogy

Devanagari script

सुखदुःखप्रमाणं च प्रजादोषं युगस्य तु एतत्सर्वं प्रसंख्याय पृच्छतां ब्रूहि नः प्रभो //

Transliteration

sukhaduḥkhapramāṇaṃ ca prajādoṣaṃ yugasya tu etatsarvaṃ prasaṃkhyāya pṛcchatāṃ brūhi naḥ prabho //

Translation

Explain to us, O Lord—after setting forth everything in proper order—the measure of happiness and sorrow, and the faults found among the people that pertain to each Yuga.

Word by Word

• सुख (sukha): happiness

• दुःख (duḥkha): sorrow, suffering

• प्रमाणम् (pramāṇam): measure, standard, extent

• च (ca): and

• प्रजा (prajā): subjects, people

• दोषम् (doṣam): fault, defect, moral failing

• युगस्य (yugasya): of the age (Yuga)

• तु (tu): indeed, specifically

• एतत् (etat): this

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all

• प्रसंख्याय (prasaṃkhyāya): having enumerated, having set forth systematically

• पृच्छताम् (pṛcchatām): of those who ask, of us who are inquiring

• ब्रूहि (brūhi): speak, tell, explain

• नः (naḥ): to us

• प्रभो (prabho): O Lord, O Master.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (inquirer) addressing Lord Matsya/Vishnu (teacher)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya (Vishnu)

Tags

• Yuga-Dharma
• Ethics
• Social-Decay
• Happiness-Sorrow
• Puranic-Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse is not directly about Pralaya; it frames a doctrinal inquiry into how happiness, suffering, and human faults vary by Yuga—topics often used in the Purana to explain cosmic time and moral decline rather than dissolution itself.

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

By asking for the “faults of the people” in each Yuga, the verse sets up guidance for governance and conduct: rulers and householders must understand prevailing social weaknesses of their age and uphold appropriate dharma (discipline, charity, restraint, justice) accordingly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; it functions as a thematic transition into yuga-wise norms, which in other contexts can influence what rituals or observances are emphasized in a given age.