Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

प्रगृहीतायुधैर्विप्रैः शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः स तदा तैः परिवृतो म्लेच्छान् हन्ति सहस्रशः

Transliteration

pragṛhītāyudhairvipraiḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ sa tadā taiḥ parivṛto mlecchān hanti sahasraśaḥ

Translation

तेव्हा शस्त्र धारण केलेल्या शेकडो-हजारो ब्राह्मणांनी वेढलेला तो, म्लेच्छांना हजारोंच्या संख्येने संहारू लागला—हे सर्व पशुपती शिवाच्या सेवेत, पाशबद्ध जीवांच्या मुक्तीसाठी धर्मरक्षणार्थ होते।

Word by Word

• pragṛhīta-āyudhaiḥ: with weapons taken up/held

• vipraiḥ: by brāhmaṇas (learned ones)

• śataśaḥ: by hundreds

• atha: then

• sahasraśaḥ: by thousands

• saḥ: he

• tadā: at that time

• taiḥ: by them/with them

• parivṛtaḥ: surrounded/encircled

• mlecchān: mlecchas (outsiders/impious aggressors)

• hanti: strikes down/slays

• sahasraśaḥ: in thousands

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmanas
• Mlecchas

FAQs

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

It frames dharma-protection as devotion in action—defending the sacred order that supports Śiva-pūjā, yajña, and the spiritual welfare of the community.

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

Implicitly, it reflects Śiva as Pati—the sovereign protector whose purpose is the removal of pāśa (bondage); the outward battle mirrors the Lord’s function of restoring dharma so paśus (souls) may progress toward liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights dharma-anushthāna (upholding sacred duty); in a Pāśupata lens, it parallels the yogic discipline of conquering adharma and guarding the conditions necessary for sādhana and pūjā.