Shloka 18
Nāma-mahātmya: Liberation through Salutation, Chanting, and the Mantra “Namo Nārāyaṇāya”
ध्यायन् कृते जपेन्मन्त्रैस्त्रेतायां द्वापरेर्ऽचयन् / यदाप्नोति तदाप्नोति तदाप्नोति कलौ संस्मृत्यकेशवम्
dhyāyan kṛte japenmantraistretāyāṃ dvāparer'cayan / yadāpnoti tadāpnoti tadāpnoti kalau saṃsmṛtyakeśavam
Dans l’âge Kṛta, on atteint le but suprême par la méditation; dans Tretā, par le japa des mantras; dans Dvāpara, par le culte rituel (arcana). Ce qui est obtenu par ces moyens, cela même est obtenu en l’âge Kali par le seul souvenir de Keśava (Viṣṇu).
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Concept: Yuga-dharma: the same supreme attainment gained by meditation/japa/arcana in earlier ages is gained in Kali by remembering Keśava.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-smaraṇa as a direct purifier and liberating means; grace makes the highest end accessible despite diminished capacities in Kali.
Application: Adopt daily Keśava-smaraṇa (name/form remembrance) as a primary practice; integrate brief remembrance at transitions (waking, meals, travel, sleep).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated Kali-yuga emphasis on nāma/smaraṇa as swift means (nāma-mahātmya passages)
FAQs
This verse states that in Kali Yuga, simple remembrance (smaraṇa) of Keśava grants the same spiritual attainment that required intensive meditation, mantra-japa, or formal worship in earlier yugas.
It presents a yuga-wise progression: dhyāna in Kṛta, japa in Tretā, arcana in Dvāpara, and in Kali the accessible path of remembrance of Viṣṇu, indicating a compassionate adjustment of practice to the era’s capacity.
Build a daily habit of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa—repeating the name of Keśava, recalling His qualities, or brief mindful remembrance—especially when elaborate rituals or long austerities are not feasible.