Shloka 68

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

दीर्घाश्चैवातिशुष्काश्च श्मश्रुलाश्च विवाससः क्षुत्पिपासाभिभूतास्ते विद्रवन्ति त्वितस्ततः //

Transliteration

dīrghāścaivātiśuṣkāśca śmaśrulāśca vivāsasaḥ kṣutpipāsābhibhūtāste vidravanti tvitastataḥ //

Translation

They become long-limbed and extremely emaciated, bearded and without clothing; tormented by hunger and thirst, they run about in panic—here and there.

Word by Word

• dīrghāḥ: long/tall (in body)

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• ati-śuṣkāḥ: exceedingly dried up, emaciated

• śmaśrulāḥ: with beards

• ca: and

• vivāsasaḥ: unclothed, without garments

• kṣut: hunger

• pipāsā: thirst

• abhibhūtāḥ: overpowered, afflicted

• te: they

• vidravanti: run about, flee in confusion

• tu: indeed

• itaḥ tataḥ: from here to there, in all directions

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kali Yuga
• Famine
• Social collapse
• Puranic prophecy

FAQs

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

It depicts a pralaya-like condition on the human plane—famine, deprivation, and disorder—where people are physically wasted, unclothed, and driven to frantic wandering by hunger and thirst.

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

By highlighting hunger, thirst, and homelessness as symptoms of collapse, it implicitly underscores royal and household dharma: ensuring food security, charity (anna-dāna), protection of the vulnerable, and maintaining social order to prevent such distress.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct vastu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is contextual—when society is destabilized by famine and displacement, construction and elaborate rites decline, and priority shifts to sustenance, relief, and basic dharmic support.