Shloka 8
महाबलमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Mahābala Māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Mahābala (and Western Sacred Liṅgas)”
कृतेयुगे स हि श्वेतस्त्रेतायां सोतिलोहितः । द्वापरे पीतवर्णश्च कलौ श्यामो भविष्यति
kṛteyuge sa hi śvetastretāyāṃ sotilohitaḥ | dvāpare pītavarṇaśca kalau śyāmo bhaviṣyati
Pada Kṛta Yuga Ia berwarna putih; pada Tretā Yuga Ia menjadi merah menyala. Pada Dvāpara Yuga Ia berwarna kuning; dan pada Kali Yuga Ia akan berwarna gelap (śyāma).
Suta Goswami
FAQs
It teaches that the compassionate Lord adapts His manifest (saguṇa) appearance according to the yuga, guiding beings through changing dharma while remaining the same supreme Pati beyond all qualities (nirguṇa) in essence.
The verse highlights Shiva’s accessible manifestation in time; Linga worship provides a steady, yuga-transcending focus for devotion, so devotees can approach the same Lord regardless of changing outer forms or eras.
In Kali Yuga especially, steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with simple Linga-pūjā (water/bilva offering) is the most direct, sustaining practice.