Shloka 27

Adhyaya 23: श्वेत-लोहित-पीत-कृष्ण-विश्व-कल्पेषु रुद्रस्वरूप-गायत्री-तत्त्ववर्णनम्

Devanagari script

यस्माच्च सर्ववर्णत्वं प्रजानां च भविष्यति सर्वभक्षा च मेध्या च वर्णतश् च भविष्यति

Transliteration

yasmācca sarvavarṇatvaṃ prajānāṃ ca bhaviṣyati sarvabhakṣā ca medhyā ca varṇataś ca bhaviṣyati

Translation

Aus diesem Grund werden die Menschen in einen Zustand vermischter Varṇas fallen; sie werden zu Essern ohne Unterscheidung; und obgleich sie Reinheit und Schicklichkeit beanspruchen, bleiben sie im Wandel unrein und sinken in ihrer eigenen Varṇa herab.

Word by Word

• yasmāt: from which cause

• ca: and

• sarva-varṇatvam: the condition of being of all varṇas/mixed orders

• prajānām: of the people/creatures

• ca: and

• bhaviṣyati: will come to be

• sarva-bhakṣā: eating everything/indiscriminate in diet

• ca: and

• medhyā: (claiming to be) pure/fit for rites

• ca: and

• varṇataḥ: with respect to varṇa/character

• ca: and

• bhaviṣyati: will become

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purva-Bhaga account to the sages; internal context inferred as a dharma-warning within the narrative)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It warns that outer markers of purity and social identity become unreliable when dharma declines; Linga worship therefore emphasizes inner śuddhi—turning the pashu toward Pati (Shiva) through disciplined conduct and devotion.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By implication, Shiva-tattva stands as the stabilizing Pati beyond social confusion—when pashus fall into disorder through pasha (impurity and indiscrimination), refuge in Shiva restores right order and inner purity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A key takeaway is dietary and behavioral restraint (niyama) as a prerequisite for effective Shiva-puja and Pashupata-oriented discipline, since indiscriminate conduct undermines ritual fitness and inner purification.