Shloka 57

युगधर्मवर्णनम् — चतुर्युग, गुण, धर्मपाद, तथा वार्तोत्पत्ति

Devanagari script

एको वेदश्चतुष्पादस् त्रेतास्विह विधीयते संक्षयादायुषश्चैव व्यस्यते द्वापरेषु सः

Transliteration

eko vedaścatuṣpādas tretāsviha vidhīyate saṃkṣayādāyuṣaścaiva vyasyate dvāpareṣu saḥ

Translation

En ce monde, l’unique Veda est ordonné en quatre parties (aux « quatre pieds ») à l’âge de Tretā ; et, du fait que la durée de vie humaine décroît, à l’âge de Dvāpara il est encore systématisé et divisé par Vyāsa.

Word by Word

• ekaḥ: one (single)

• vedaḥ: Veda/sacred revelation

• catuṣpādaḥ: four-footed/fourfold

• tretāsu: in the Tretā (yuga)

• iha: here, in this world

• vidhīyate: is arranged/ordained

• saṃkṣayāt: due to decline/diminution

• āyuṣaḥ: of lifespan

• ca eva: and indeed

• vyasyate: is divided/compiled/arranged by Vyāsa

• dvāpareṣu: in the Dvāpara (yuga)

• saḥ: he/that (Veda arrangement).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Purāṇic history of Vedic arrangement to the sages)

Characters & Entities

• Vyasa
• Veda

FAQs

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

It explains why revealed knowledge is reorganized as ages decline; Linga-worship and Śaiva rites are preserved by adapting transmission and practice so Pashus (souls) can still approach Pati (Śiva) through available śāstra and vidhi.

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

Implicitly, it shows Shiva-tattva as the steady Pati behind changing yuga-conditions: while human capacity declines (pāśa-like limitation), dharma is restructured so liberation remains accessible—pointing to Śiva’s governance of revelation and order.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is scriptural-ritual adaptation: as lifespan and capacity shrink, sādhana relies on organized Vedic and Purāṇic injunctions—supporting structured pūjā-vidhi and disciplined yoga (including Pāśupata-oriented practice) suited to the age.