Shloka 58

युगधर्मवर्णनम् — चतुर्युग, गुण, धर्मपाद, तथा वार्तोत्पत्ति

Devanagari script

ऋषिपुत्रैः पुनर्भेदा भिद्यन्ते दृष्टिविभ्रमैः मन्त्रब्राह्मणविन्यासैः स्वरवर्णविपर्ययैः

Transliteration

ṛṣiputraiḥ punarbhedā bhidyante dṛṣṭivibhramaiḥ mantrabrāhmaṇavinyāsaiḥ svaravarṇaviparyayaiḥ

Translation

Again, through the sons of the seers, further divisions arise—caused by errors of understanding, by rearrangements in the placing of mantras and brāhmaṇa-portions, and by inversions in accent and syllables. Thus the sacred transmission becomes differentiated.

Word by Word

• ऋषिपुत्रैः: by the sons/disciples in the ṛṣi-lineages

• पुनः: again, further

• भेदाः: divisions, recensional differences

• भिद्यन्ते: are split, become differentiated

• दृष्टि-विभ्रमैः: by confusions of view/understanding and misapprehensions

• मन्त्र-ब्राह्मण-विन्यासैः: by (different) arrangements/placements of mantra portions and brāhmaṇa (explanatory/prose) portions

• स्वर-वर्ण-विपर्ययैः: by reversals/corruptions of Vedic accent (svara) and phonemes/letters (varṇa)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Rishis

FAQs

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

It stresses that mantra-power depends on precise transmission—correct svara (accent), varṇa (phonemes), and proper placement of mantra and brāhmaṇa portions—so Shiva-puja remains ritually and spiritually effective.

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

Indirectly, it implies that Pati (Shiva) is accessed through śabda-sādhana: when the sacred sound is preserved without distortion, the pashu (soul) approaches Shiva-tattva more purely and loosens pasha (bondage) born of confusion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Disciplined mantra-recitation (japa/adhyayana) with exact Vedic accent and phonetic accuracy—supporting Shaiva ritual correctness and the inner purification required for Pashupata-oriented practice.