Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमप्रतिष्ठानो जायते नृषु सर्वतः तदा स्वल्पफला भूमिः क्वचिच्चापि महाफला

Transliteration

varṇāśramapratiṣṭhāno jāyate nṛṣu sarvataḥ tadā svalpaphalā bhūmiḥ kvaciccāpi mahāphalā

Translation

当众人之中处处兴起并确立种姓（varṇa）与住期（āśrama）之制时，大地在某些地方结实甚少，而在另一些地方却极其丰饶——皆随在主宰（Pati）之下所护持之法（dharma）的和合而定。

Word by Word

• वर्णाश्रम-प्रतिष्ठानः: the establishment of varṇa and āśrama

• जायते: arises/comes into being

• नृषु: among men/people

• सर्वतः: everywhere

• तदा: then

• स्वल्प-फलाः: of small yield/limited fruits

• भूमिः: the earth/land

• क्वचित्: somewhere/in some places

• च अपि: and also/yet

• महा-फलाः: of great yield/abundant fruits

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links societal dharma (varṇa-āśrama) with the distribution of worldly fruits; in Linga-worship this underscores that prosperity and stability arise when the Pashu aligns conduct with Shiva (Pati) through dharma and devotion.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme regulator (Pati) of karmic order: when dharma is established, the manifest world responds with corresponding results—scarcity or abundance—reflecting the moral-spiritual alignment of beings.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No single rite is named; the takeaway is dharma-sādhana—living one’s āśrama duties with Shaiva orientation—supporting Pashupata discipline where ethical order becomes the ground for higher worship and liberation.