Shloka 79

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

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमाचारयुतं श्रौतं स्मार्तं द्विधा तु यम् ततस्तेषु क्रियावत्सु वर्धन्ते वै प्रजाः कृते

Transliteration

varṇāśramācārayutaṃ śrautaṃ smārtaṃ dvidhā tu yam tatasteṣu kriyāvatsu vardhante vai prajāḥ kṛte

Translation

வர்ண-ஆச்ரம ஒழுக்கங்களுடன் இணைந்த தர்மம் இருவகை—ஸ்ரௌதமும் ஸ்மார்த்தமும். க்ருதயுகத்தில் மக்கள் அந்தக் கிரியைகளில் உறுதியாக இருந்தால், உயிர்கள் நிச்சயமாக வளர்ந்து பெருகுகின்றன.

Word by Word

• वर्ण (varṇa): social class order

• आश्रम (āśrama): stage of life discipline

• आचार (ācāra): conduct/observance

• युतम् (yutam): endowed with/connected to

• श्रौत (śrauta): śruti-based Vedic ritual system

• स्मार्त (smārta): smṛti-based dharma/ritual system

• द्विधा (dvidhā): twofold

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• यम् (yam): which/that

• ततः (tataḥ): therefore/thereupon

• तेषु (teṣu): in those (duties)

• क्रियावत्सु (kriyāvatsu): among those engaged in rites/actions

• वर्धन्ते (vardhante): grow/prosper

• वै (vai): certainly

• प्रजाः (prajāḥ): creatures/subjects/offspring

• कृते (kṛte): in the Kṛta Yuga

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It grounds Śiva-bhakti in Vaidika order: prosperity and harmony arise when devotees uphold Śrauta and Smārta duties within varṇa-āśrama, creating a stable field for Śiva-pūjā and Linga-pratiṣṭhā to bear fruit.

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

Indirectly, it presents Śiva as Pati who upholds ṛta/dharma: when pashus (souls) align conduct and rites with sacred law, the world flourishes—reflecting Śiva’s governance through dharma rather than mere force.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śrauta yajñas and Smārta observances are highlighted; the verse emphasizes kriyā (disciplined ritual action) as the practical foundation that supports higher Śaiva sādhanā, including Pāśupata-oriented purification.