Shloka 7

युगधर्मवर्णनम् — चतुर्युग, गुण, धर्मपाद, तथा वार्तोत्पत्ति

Devanagari script

ध्यानं परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायां यज्ञ उच्यते भजनं द्वापरे शुद्धं दानमेव कलौ युगे

Transliteration

dhyānaṃ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ yajña ucyate bhajanaṃ dvāpare śuddhaṃ dānameva kalau yuge

Translation

在克利多纪，至上的修持是禅观（dhyāna）；在特雷塔纪，宣说以祭祀（yajña）为道；在德瓦帕罗纪，教导清净的奉敬（bhajana，bhakti）；而在迦利纪，唯有布施（dāna）为最胜方便。

Word by Word

• ध्यानम् (dhyānam): meditation

• परम् (param): supreme, highest

• कृतयुगे (kṛtayuge): in the Kṛta Yuga

• त्रेतायाम् (tretāyām): in the Tretā Yuga

• यज्ञः (yajñaḥ): Vedic sacrifice

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/declared

• भजनम् (bhajanam): devotional worship, adoration

• द्वापरे (dvāpare): in the Dvāpara Yuga

• शुद्धम् (śuddham): pure, purified

• दानम् (dānam): gifting/charity, sacred giving

• एव (eva): indeed/alone

• कलौ (kalau): in Kali (Yuga)

• युगे (yuge): in the age.

Speaker

Suta Goswami

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered Shiva-sadhana within yuga-dharma: the same aim—approach to Pati (Shiva)—is pursued through the age-appropriate means, with Kali emphasizing dāna as a practical support for worship, temples, and devotees.

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

By presenting multiple valid upāyas (means) across yugas, it implies Shiva as Pati—accessible through meditation, Vedic rite, devotion, and meritorious giving—while the pashu (soul) progresses by loosening pāśa (bondage) via disciplined, age-suitable practice.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dhyāna (yogic meditation) is highlighted as the highest in Kṛta; yajña as the ritual focus of Tretā; bhajana as the purified devotional discipline of Dvāpara; and dāna as the primary Kali-age practice that sustains dharma and Shiva-oriented merit.