Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

वेदविक्रयिणश्चान्ये तीर्थविक्रयिणः परे वर्णाश्रमाणां ये चान्ये पाषण्डाः परिपन्थिनः

Transliteration

vedavikrayiṇaścānye tīrthavikrayiṇaḥ pare varṇāśramāṇāṃ ye cānye pāṣaṇḍāḥ paripanthinaḥ

Translation

Sebagian orang memperdagangkan Weda, sebagian lain menjual akses ke tirtha (tempat suci); dan ada pula para pāṣaṇḍa—penentang jalan benar—yang merusak tata varṇa dan āśrama.

Word by Word

• veda-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of the Veda (those who commercialize sacred knowledge)

• ca: and

• anye: others

• tīrtha-vikrayiṇaḥ: sellers of pilgrimage/holy places (those who monetize tīrthas)

• pare: further/others

• varṇa-āśramāṇām: of the varṇa-and-āśrama order (social-spiritual disciplines)

• ye: who

• ca: and

• anye: others

• pāṣaṇḍāḥ: heretics/false religionists

• paripanthinaḥ: adversaries of the path, obstructers

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana’s teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

FAQs

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

It warns that authentic Śaiva worship and Vedic-linga rites must not be treated as commodities; commercialization becomes a form of adharma that blocks devotion and right practice.

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

By implication, Śiva as Pati is the true guide of the path; when the path is distorted by pāṣaṇḍa and profit-seeking, the pashu remains bound by pasha rather than moving toward Śiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It indirectly highlights the need for properly transmitted mantra, pūjā, and vrata (often framed within Pāśupata discipline) rather than paid-for “shortcuts” like selling tīrtha access or Vedic recitations.