Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Yuga Durations

Devanagari script

द्वाभ्यां धर्मः स्थितः पद्भ्याम् अधर्मस्त्रिभिरुत्थितः विपर्ययाच्छनैर्धर्मः क्षयमेति कलौ युगे //

Transliteration

dvābhyāṃ dharmaḥ sthitaḥ padbhyām adharmastribhirutthitaḥ viparyayācchanairdharmaḥ kṣayameti kalau yuge //

Translation

In the Kali Yuga, Dharma stands only on two feet, while Adharma rises on three. Through this reversal, Dharma gradually declines and goes to ruin.

Word by Word

• द्वाभ्याम् (dvābhyām): by two

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): righteousness, sacred order

• स्थितः (sthitaḥ): stands, remains established

• पद्भ्याम् (padbhyām): on feet/pillars

• अधर्मः (adharmaḥ): unrighteousness, disorder

• त्रिभिः (tribhiḥ): by three

• उत्थितः (utthitaḥ): risen, stands up

• विपर्ययात् (viparyayāt): due to inversion/reversal

• शनैः (śanaiḥ): gradually, little by little

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): righteousness

• क्षयम् (kṣayam): decay, diminution

• एति (eti): goes, reaches

• कलौ युगे (kalau yuge): in the Kali age.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely yuga-dharma discourse context)

Entities Mentioned

• Dharma
• Adharma
• Kali Yuga

Tags

• Yuga-Dharma
• Kali Yuga
• Rajadharma
• Ethics
• Moral Decline

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it describes a moral “dissolution” in Kali Yuga where Dharma weakens due to a reversal of values (viparyaya).

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

It frames Kali Yuga as a time when Adharma gains strength, implying that kings and householders must consciously uphold truth, justice, self-restraint, and charity to compensate for Dharma’s weakened footing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is a yuga-ethics indicator used to contextualize why stricter personal discipline and corrective rites are emphasized in Kali.