Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Yuga Durations

Devanagari script

आश्रमाणां विपर्यासः कलौ सम्परिवर्तते वर्णानां चैव संदेहो युगान्ते रविनन्दन //

Transliteration

āśramāṇāṃ viparyāsaḥ kalau samparivartate varṇānāṃ caiva saṃdeho yugānte ravinandana //

Translation

In the age of Kali, the order of the āśramas becomes inverted and thoroughly disturbed; and at the end of the age, O son of the Sun, even the distinctions of the varṇas fall into doubt and confusion.

Word by Word

• आश्रमाणाम् (āśramāṇām): of the life-stages/āśramas (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa)

• विपर्यासः (viparyāsaḥ): reversal, perversion, inversion of proper order

• कलौ (kalau): in Kali-yuga

• सम्परिवर्तते (samparivartate): becomes completely altered/turned about, is thoroughly transformed

• वर्णानाम् (varṇānām): of the social classes/varṇas

• च एव (caiva): and indeed

• संदेहः (saṃdehaḥ): doubt, uncertainty, confusion

• युगान्ते (yugānte): at the end of the yuga/age

• रविनन्दन (ravinandana): O descendant/son of Ravi (the Sun), i.e., addressing Vaivasvata Manu.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Ravi (Surya)
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Kali-yuga
• Āśramas
• Varṇas

Tags

• Kali Yuga
• Yuganta
• Dharma
• Social Order
• Varna-Ashrama

FAQs

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

It does not describe the flood or cosmic dissolution directly; it gives a yugānta (end-of-age) symptom: dharma collapses socially, shown by the breakdown of āśrama discipline and the blurring of varṇa distinctions—typical preludes to major cyclical transitions.

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

It warns that in Kali-yuga the king must actively protect dharma—supporting proper education, rites, and ethical conduct—because the āśrama system (especially brahmacarya and gṛhastha responsibilities) becomes disordered, leading to social instability and loss of righteous livelihood.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vastu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that traditional āśrama-based discipline and varṇa-based ritual roles become confused in Kali-yuga, implying that rites and social-religious duties require careful, dharma-aligned supervision to remain valid and meaningful.