Shloka 18
Nāma-mahātmya: Liberation through Salutation, Chanting, and the Mantra “Namo Nārāyaṇāya”
ध्यायन् कृते जपेन्मन्त्रैस्त्रेतायां द्वापरेर्ऽचयन् / यदाप्नोति तदाप्नोति तदाप्नोति कलौ संस्मृत्यकेशवम्
dhyāyan kṛte japenmantraistretāyāṃ dvāparer'cayan / yadāpnoti tadāpnoti tadāpnoti kalau saṃsmṛtyakeśavam
Im Kṛta-Zeitalter erlangt man das Höchste durch Meditation; im Tretā durch Mantra-Japa; im Dvāpara durch rituelle Verehrung (arcana). Was dadurch erlangt wird, das wird im Kali-Zeitalter ebenso erlangt, allein durch das Gedenken an Keśava (Viṣṇu).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Concept: Yuga-dharma: the same supreme attainment gained by meditation/japa/arcana in earlier ages is gained in Kali by remembering Keśava.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-smaraṇa as a direct purifier and liberating means; grace makes the highest end accessible despite diminished capacities in Kali.
Application: Adopt daily Keśava-smaraṇa (name/form remembrance) as a primary practice; integrate brief remembrance at transitions (waking, meals, travel, sleep).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated Kali-yuga emphasis on nāma/smaraṇa as swift means (nāma-mahātmya passages)
FAQs
This verse states that in Kali Yuga, simple remembrance (smaraṇa) of Keśava grants the same spiritual attainment that required intensive meditation, mantra-japa, or formal worship in earlier yugas.
It presents a yuga-wise progression: dhyāna in Kṛta, japa in Tretā, arcana in Dvāpara, and in Kali the accessible path of remembrance of Viṣṇu, indicating a compassionate adjustment of practice to the era’s capacity.
Build a daily habit of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa—repeating the name of Keśava, recalling His qualities, or brief mindful remembrance—especially when elaborate rituals or long austerities are not feasible.