Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Yuga Durations

Devanagari script

अहंकारगृहीताश्च प्रक्षीणस्नेहबन्धनाः विप्राः शूद्रसमाचाराः सन्ति सर्वे कलौ युगे //

Transliteration

ahaṃkāragṛhītāśca prakṣīṇasnehabandhanāḥ viprāḥ śūdrasamācārāḥ santi sarve kalau yuge //

Translation

In the Kali age, all brāhmaṇas become seized by ego; their bonds of affection are worn away, and they adopt the conduct and manners associated with śūdras.

Word by Word

• अहंकारगृहीताः (ahaṃkāra-gṛhītāḥ): seized/possessed by ego

• च (ca): and

• प्रक्षीण (prakṣīṇa): diminished, exhausted

• स्नेह (sneha): affection, warmth, attachment

• बन्धनाः (bandhanāḥ): bonds, ties

• विप्राः (viprāḥ): brāhmaṇas, learned priests

• शूद्र (śūdra): śūdra (serving class

• here: lowest social conduct)

• समाचाराः (samācārāḥ): conduct, customary behavior

• सन्ति (santi): are, become

• सर्वे (sarve): all

• कलौ (kalau): in Kali (yuga)

• युगे (yuge): in the age/era.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu on the characteristics of Kali-yuga)

Entities Mentioned

• Kali-yuga
• Vipra (Brāhmaṇa)
• Śūdra

Tags

• Kali Yuga
• Dharma
• Varna
• Social Decline
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes Kali-yuga as a moral and social decline where ego and loss of affectionate bonds disrupt dharmic conduct.

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

It warns that social roles and standards of conduct may deteriorate in Kali-yuga; a king and householders should therefore uphold education, restraint, charity, and dharmic discipline to counter ego-driven behavior and social fragmentation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is indirect—ritual authority becomes unreliable when ego replaces learning and right conduct, so emphasis must be placed on authentic discipline and character.