Shloka 55
Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya
Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification
कृतेध्यानाज्ज्ञानसिद्धिस्त्रेतायां तपसा तथा । द्वापरे यजनाज्ज्ञानं प्रतिमापूजया कलौ
kṛtedhyānājjñānasiddhistretāyāṃ tapasā tathā | dvāpare yajanājjñānaṃ pratimāpūjayā kalau
クリタ・ユガにおいては、霊的智は禅定（ディヤーナ）によって成就する。トレーター・ユガにおいても、苦行（タパス）によって同様に成就する。ドヴァーパラ・ユガにおいては、ヤジュニャ（祭祀）によって智が得られ、カリ・ユガにおいては、主の聖なる御像（プラティマー）を礼拝することによって得られる。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva’s teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It teaches that the primary discipline for realizing liberating knowledge changes by yuga: meditation in Kṛta, austerity in Tretā, yajña in Dvāpara, and accessible devotional worship in Kali—showing Śiva’s compassion in providing an attainable path suited to the age.
By affirming pratimā-pūjā in Kali Yuga, it supports Saguna worship—such as Śiva-liṅga worship—as a valid and powerful means to purify the soul (paśu), loosen bonds (pāśa), and lead toward the knowledge of Pati (Śiva).
For Kali Yuga, the takeaway is regular Śiva pratimā/Śivaliṅga pūjā with devotion—supported by mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple, sincere offerings as one’s capacity allows.