Shloka 50

युगधर्मवर्णनम् — चतुर्युग, गुण, धर्मपाद, तथा वार्तोत्पत्ति

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमप्रतिष्ठां च चकार स्वेन तेजसा वृत्तेन वृत्तिना वृत्तं विश्वात्मा निर्ममे स्वयम्

Transliteration

varṇāśramapratiṣṭhāṃ ca cakāra svena tejasā vṛttena vṛttinā vṛttaṃ viśvātmā nirmame svayam

Translation

By his own spiritual splendour, the Universal Self established the foundation of the varṇa-and-āśrama order; and through the right principle of conduct and the power that impels conduct, that Pati of the cosmos himself fashioned the regulated course of worldly life.

Word by Word

• वर्णाश्रम-प्रतिष्ठाम्: the establishment/foundation of the varṇa and āśrama system

• च: and

• चकार: he made/established

• स्वेन: by his own

• तेजसा: radiance, spiritual power

• वृत्तेन: by right conduct, by a regulated course

• वृत्तिना: by the force/agency that sustains conduct (discipline, operative power)

• वृत्तम्: the ordered round (of life/dharma), regulated livelihood

• विश्व-आत्मा: the Soul of the universe, the indwelling cosmic Self

• निर्ममे: created, fashioned

• स्वयम्: himself

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the cosmic ordering attributed to Shiva as Pati/Viśvātmā)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva (Pati/Viśvātmā) as the giver of dharma—establishing the social and spiritual order that supports yajña, vrata, and linga-pūjā as disciplined paths for the pashu (soul) to move toward liberation.

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

Shiva-tattva is shown as self-sufficient sovereignty: by his own tejas he establishes order, and as Viśvātmā he pervades the universe while also initiating regulation—Pati who governs pasha-bound existence without being bound.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The emphasis is on vṛtta (regulated conduct) and vṛtti (the disciplining force of practice), aligning with Pāśupata-style sādhana where ethical restraint and disciplined living become the basis for mantra, worship, and inner yoga.