Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

प्रकाशते प्रतिष्ठार्थं धर्मस्य विकृताकृतिः ये तं विप्रा निषेवन्ते येन केनापि शङ्करम्

Transliteration

prakāśate pratiṣṭhārthaṃ dharmasya vikṛtākṛtiḥ ye taṃ viprā niṣevante yena kenāpi śaṅkaram

Translation

Afin d’établir le dharma véritable, une forme se manifeste—elle paraît altérée, sans pourtant contredire l’essence. Les brahmanes qui s’y réfugient et la servent, par quelque moyen que ce soit, se tournent en vérité vers Śaṅkara lui-même.

Word by Word

• प्रकाशते: shines forth/appears

• प्रतिष्ठार्थम्: for the purpose of establishment/firm grounding

• धर्मस्य: of dharma (right order, sacred duty)

• विकृत-आकृतिः: a modified/atypical manifestation (a transformed appearance)

• ये: those who

• तम्: that (manifestation/principle)

• विप्राः: brahmins/learned ritualists

• निषेवन्ते: practice/serve/seek refuge in

• येन केन अपि: by any means whatsoever/in whatever manner

• शङ्करम्: Śaṅkara (Shiva, the auspicious Lord)

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 teaches that the visible form or method (including Linga-pratiṣṭhā and varied rites) is meant to establish dharma, and that sincere engagement ultimately reaches Śaṅkara as the final refuge.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the ultimate goal—so even when dharma appears in an adapted form, the essence is fulfilled when the seeker’s practice culminates in turning toward Śaṅkara.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse supports Linga-pratiṣṭhā and disciplined service (niṣevaṇa) as valid approaches; in a Pāśupata sense, outward action is to be interiorized into steadfast refuge in Pati, loosening pāśa (bondage) upon the paśu (soul).