Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

उत्सीदन्ति तदा यज्ञाः केवलाधर्मपीडिताः काषायिणो ऽप्यनिर्ग्रन्थाः कापालीबहुलास्त्विह

Transliteration

utsīdanti tadā yajñāḥ kevalādharmapīḍitāḥ kāṣāyiṇo 'pyanirgranthāḥ kāpālībahulāstviha

Translation

Then the Vedic sacrifices decline, crushed solely by adharma. Even those wearing ochre robes remain without true restraint or sacred discipline, and in this world the skull-bearing ascetics (kāpālī) become numerous—outer marks increasing while inner Shaiva conduct and right worship wither.

Word by Word

• उत्सीदन्ति: fall into decline

• तदा: then

• यज्ञाः: Vedic sacrifices/rites

• केवल: solely/entirely

• अधर्म: unrighteousness/anti-dharma

• पीडिताः: afflicted/oppressed

• काषायिणः: wearers of ochre robes/renunciants by dress

• अपि: even

• अनिर्ग्रन्थाः: without binding discipline/without true scriptural restraint

• कापाली: skull-bearing ascetics (Kāpālika-type)

• बहुलाः: many/abundant

• तु: indeed

• इह: here/in this world

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It warns that when adharma prevails, yajña and authentic worship decline, and mere external religious signs replace inner purity—implying that true Linga-bhakti requires disciplined conduct and right intention, not costume.

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

By implication, Shiva-tattva is approached through inner niyama and genuine sādhana; when pashu (the soul) clings to outward identity under pasha (bondage), it misses the Pati (Shiva) who is realized through purified practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights the necessity of inner discipline (niyama, restraint, scriptural grounding) over mere ascetic appearance—an essential prerequisite for effective Shaiva sādhana and Pashupata-oriented purification.