Shloka 53

Adhyaya 40: Kali-yuga Lakshana, Yuga-sandhyamsha, and the Re-emergence of Dharma

Devanagari script

प्रगृहीतायुधैर्विप्रैः शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः स तदा तैः परिवृतो म्लेच्छान् हन्ति सहस्रशः

Transliteration

pragṛhītāyudhairvipraiḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ sa tadā taiḥ parivṛto mlecchān hanti sahasraśaḥ

Translation

Dann, umringt von Hunderten und Tausenden bewaffneter Brāhmaṇas, erschlug er die mleccha-Scharen zu Tausenden. So schützte er Dharma als hingebungsvollen Dienst an Pati (Śiva), dem Herrn, der die paśu von den Fesseln (pāśa) befreit.

Word by Word

• pragṛhīta-āyudhaiḥ: with weapons taken up/held

• vipraiḥ: by brāhmaṇas (learned ones)

• śataśaḥ: by hundreds

• atha: then

• sahasraśaḥ: by thousands

• saḥ: he

• tadā: at that time

• taiḥ: by them/with them

• parivṛtaḥ: surrounded/encircled

• mlecchān: mlecchas (outsiders/impious aggressors)

• hanti: strikes down/slays

• sahasraśaḥ: in thousands

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Mlecchas

FAQs

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

It frames dharma-protection as devotion in action—defending the sacred order that supports Śiva-pūjā, yajña, and the spiritual welfare of the community.

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

Implicitly, it reflects Śiva as Pati—the sovereign protector whose purpose is the removal of pāśa (bondage); the outward battle mirrors the Lord’s function of restoring dharma so paśus (souls) may progress toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights dharma-anushthāna (upholding sacred duty); in a Pāśupata lens, it parallels the yogic discipline of conquering adharma and guarding the conditions necessary for sādhana and pūjā.