Shloka 40
अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda
पादक्षयश्च भविता त्रेतायां च सुरोत्तम । पादोपरे द्वापरे च तृतीयोऽपि कलौ विभो
pādakṣayaśca bhavitā tretāyāṃ ca surottama | pādopare dvāpare ca tṛtīyo'pi kalau vibho
โอ้ผู้ประเสริฐในหมู่เทพ ในเตรตายุคจะมีความเสื่อมของหนึ่งบาท ในทวาปรยุคอีกหนึ่งบาทจะสูญไป และในกลียุค โอ้ผู้ทรงฤทธิ์ บาทที่สามก็จะเสื่อมลงด้วย
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Cosmic Event: Yuga-cycle dharma decline: Satya (4 pādas) → Tretā (3) → Dvāpara (2) → Kali (1)
FAQs
It teaches that as the yugas progress, dharma steadily weakens; therefore the soul (paśu) must rely more consciously on Shiva (Pati) through devotion, right conduct, and grace to remain aligned with truth and attain liberation.
When dharma declines, external supports for spirituality also weaken; Linga-worship of Saguna Shiva becomes a stable, accessible anchor—centering life on Shiva’s presence, purity, and discipline even in Kali Yuga.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with daily Shiva-puja (Linga-abhiṣeka), supported by vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders of restraint and devotion.