Shloka 99

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

Devanagari script

युगस्वभावश् च तथा विधत्ते वै तदा प्रभुः वर्णाश्रमविभागाश् च युगानि युगसिद्धयः

Transliteration

yugasvabhāvaś ca tathā vidhatte vai tadā prabhuḥ varṇāśramavibhāgāś ca yugāni yugasiddhayaḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ പ്രഭു-പതി ഓരോ യുഗത്തിന്റെയും സ്വഭാവം യഥാവിധി നിശ്ചയിക്കുന്നു—വർണാശ്രമ വിഭജനങ്ങൾ, യുഗങ്ങളുടെ ക്രമം, കൂടാതെ യുഗാനുസൃത സിദ്ധികളും സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• yuga-svabhāvaḥ: the inherent character of an age

• ca: and

• tathā: likewise/accordingly

• vidhatte: arranges/ordains

• vai: indeed

• tadā: then/at that time

• prabhuḥ: the Lord, sovereign (Pati)

• varṇa-āśrama-vibhāgāḥ: the classifications of social order and life-stages

• ca: and

• yugāni: the yugas (ages)

• yuga-siddhayaḥ: age-specific perfections/attainments

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva as the supreme governor (Pati) who establishes cosmic order across the yugas; Linga worship aligns the pashu (individual soul) with that ordained order through devotion, discipline, and right conduct.

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

Shiva is presented as Prabhu/Pati—the sovereign intelligence who sets the laws of time (yuga), society (varṇa-āśrama), and the attainable spiritual powers (siddhis), indicating his lordship over both worldly structure and spiritual fruition.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies yuga-appropriate sādhana: regulated dharma and disciplined life (āśrama-niyama) as the foundation for siddhi and liberation—consistent with Shaiva/Pāśupata emphasis on conduct, vows, and devotion to Mahādeva.