Shloka 34

युगधर्मवर्णनम् — चतुर्युग, गुण, धर्मपाद, तथा वार्तोत्पत्ति

Devanagari script

पूर्वं निकामचारास्ता ह्य् अनिकेता अथावसन् यथायोगं यथाप्रीति निकेतेष्ववसन्पुनः

Transliteration

pūrvaṃ nikāmacārāstā hy aniketā athāvasan yathāyogaṃ yathāprīti niketeṣvavasanpunaḥ

Translation

ಮೊದಲು ಅವರು ಇಚ್ಛೆಯಂತೆ ಸಂಚರಿಸಿ ಸ್ಥಿರ ನಿವಾಸವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ನಂತರ, ಯೋಗ್ಯತೆಯಂತೆ ಮತ್ತು ತಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕಂತೆ, ಅವರು ಮತ್ತೆ ಸ್ಥಿರ ನಿವಾಸಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸಲು ಆರಂಭಿಸಿದರು.

Word by Word

• पूर्वम् (pūrvam): formerly, at first

• निकामचाराः (nikāmacārāḥ): moving/acting at will, freely wandering

• ताः (tāḥ): those (beings)

• हि (hi): indeed

• अनिकेताः (aniketāḥ): without a house, without a fixed abode

• अथ (atha): then, thereafter

• अवसन् (avasan): they dwelt, they lived

• यथायोगम् (yathāyogam): according to fitness/propriety, as appropriate

• यथाप्रीति (yathāprīti): according to liking/pleasure, as agreeable

• निकेतेषु (niketeṣu): in homes/abodes/settlements

• अवसन् (avasan): they dwelt

• पुनः (punaḥ): again, thereafter

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames a movement from unstructured living to orderly dwelling—an outer sign of inner niyama (discipline). In Linga worship, this aligns with establishing a fixed sacred space (āyatana) and regular practice, reflecting Shiva as Pati who stabilizes the pashu’s life toward devotion and purity.

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

By implication, Shiva-tattva operates as the governor of order (niyati) and propriety (yoga/aucitya) in creation—guiding beings from mere self-will (nikāma-cāra) toward harmonized living. This reflects Pati’s role in loosening pasha through right alignment rather than chaos.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to yathāyoga—living and acting according to proper discipline. Practically, it supports niyama-based Pashupata orientation: establishing a stable place for worship, keeping regular observances, and aligning conduct with one’s dharma as preparation for Shiva-upāsanā.