Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

चातुराश्रमशैथिल्ये धर्मः प्रतिचलिष्यति अरक्षितारो हर्तारो बलिभागस्य पार्थिवाः

Transliteration

cāturāśramaśaithilye dharmaḥ praticaliṣyati arakṣitāro hartāro balibhāgasya pārthivāḥ

Translation

When the discipline of the four āśramas grows lax, Dharma will begin to totter. Kings—meant to be protectors—will become unguardians and plunderers, seizing the people’s rightful share of offerings and taxes (bali-bhāga).

Word by Word

• चातुराश्रम (cāturāśrama): the system of four āśramas (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, saṃnyāsa)

• शैथिल्ये (śaithilye): in laxity, in slackening

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): Dharma, righteous order

• प्रतिचलिष्यति (praticaliṣyati): will move backward, will waver/totter

• अरक्षितारः (arakṣitāraḥ): non-protectors, those who fail to guard

• हर्तारः (hartāraḥ): stealers, plunderers

• बलिभागस्य (balibhāgasya): of the share of bali (tribute/offerings/tax portion)

• पार्थिवाः (pārthivāḥ): kings, rulers

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames social and moral collapse as a condition that increases pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (soul); turning to Shiva as Pati through Linga-upāsanā is implied as a stabilizing remedy for Dharma.

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

By highlighting the failure of worldly protectors, it implicitly points to Shiva as the true Pati—supreme guardian and regulator of Dharma—beyond unreliable human power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is named, but the verse supports the Shaiva emphasis on restoring order through Shiva-dharma—Linga-pūjā, vrata, and Pāśupata-oriented self-discipline aligned with āśrama duties.