Shloka 3

युगधर्मवर्णनम् — चतुर्युग, गुण, धर्मपाद, तथा वार्तोत्पत्ति

Devanagari script

युगधर्मान्कथं चक्रे भगवान्पद्मसंभवः वक्तुमर्हसि मे सर्वं सांप्रतं प्रणताय मे

Transliteration

yugadharmānkathaṃ cakre bhagavānpadmasaṃbhavaḥ vaktumarhasi me sarvaṃ sāṃprataṃ praṇatāya me

Translation

ಭಗವಾನ್ ಪದ್ಮಸಂಭವನು ಯುಗಧರ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿದನು? ದಯಮಾಡಿ ಈಗ, ಪ್ರಣತನಾದ ನನಗೆ, ಎಲ್ಲವನ್ನೂ ಹೇಳುವಂತೆ ಯೋಗ್ಯನಾಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ।

Word by Word

• युगधर्मान्: the dharmas (duties/laws) of the yugas

• कथम्: how

• चक्रे: fashioned/ordained/established

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord

• पद्मसंभवः: the lotus-born (Brahmā)

• वक्तुम्: to speak/tell

• अर्हसि: you are fit/ought

• मे: to me/my

• सर्वम्: all, everything

• सांप्रतम्: now, at present

• प्रणताय: to one who is bowed down/surrendered

• मे: to me

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrative frame; a disciple/sage is asking within the discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

This verse sets up the inquiry into yuga-dharma—showing that right conduct is part of cosmic order; in Linga worship, dharma becomes a means to loosen pasha (bondage) and turn the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Śiva) through devotion and discipline.

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

Although Śiva is not named here, the verse frames dharma as something ‘ordained’ within creation (often attributed to Brahmā). In Shaiva Siddhānta, such ordination ultimately operates under Pati’s sovereignty—Śiva as the supreme regulator, with Brahmā functioning as an instrument within the cosmic hierarchy.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śraddhā and praṇipāta (humble surrender to instruction). This is foundational to Pāśupata-oriented practice: receiving teaching with reverence before undertaking vrata, japa, and liṅga-pūjā according to one’s yuga and capacity.