Shloka 85

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

Devanagari script

ससंध्यांशेषु हीयन्ते युगानां धर्मसिद्धयः इत्येषा प्रतिसिद्धिर्वै कीर्तितैषा क्रमेण तु

Transliteration

sasaṃdhyāṃśeṣu hīyante yugānāṃ dharmasiddhayaḥ ityeṣā pratisiddhirvai kīrtitaiṣā krameṇa tu

Translation

ससन्ध्यांशेषु युगानां धर्मसिद्धयः शनैः शनैः हीयन्ते। इति एषा प्रतिसिद्धिर्वै क्रमेण तु कीर्तिता॥

Word by Word

• sa-saṃdhyā-aṃśeṣu: in the twilight/junction portions (of the yugas)

• hīyante: decrease, wane

• yugānām: of the ages (yugas)

• dharma-siddhayaḥ: the accomplishments/perfections born of dharma

• iti: thus

• eṣā: this

• pratisiddhiḥ: counter-statement, corrective determination/clarification

• vai: indeed

• kīrtitā: has been declared/proclaimed

• eṣā: this

• krameṇa: in sequence, gradually

• tu: and/indeed

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 why, as yuga-conditions decline, devotees rely increasingly on accessible Shiva-upāsanā—especially Linga-bhakti—as a direct means to sustain dharma and gain siddhi despite reduced spiritual capacity.

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

By implying that worldly dharma-siddhi wanes with time, it points to Shiva as Pati—the stable, transcendent ground—through whom the pashu (soul) can cross pasha (bondage) even when external dharma is weakened.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A general principle is given rather than a specific rite: in later yugas, disciplined, sequential practice (krama)—such as steady Linga-pūjā with Pashupata-oriented inner restraint—becomes essential as spontaneous dharma-siddhi diminishes.