Shloka 78

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

Devanagari script

कलिजैः सह ते सर्वे निर्विशेषास्तदाभवन् तेषां सप्तर्षयो धर्मं कथयन्तीतरे ऽपि च

Transliteration

kalijaiḥ saha te sarve nirviśeṣāstadābhavan teṣāṃ saptarṣayo dharmaṃ kathayantītare 'pi ca

Translation

那时，与迦梨纪所生者相杂，众人皆成无差别——失却真实的灵性分判。为他们之故，七圣仙宣说正法，其他贤者亦复阐明。

Word by Word

• कलिजैः: with those born in Kali-yuga

• सह: together with

• ते: they

• सर्वे: all

• निर्विशेषाः: without distinction/without differentiation

• तदा: then

• अभवन्: became

• तेषाम्: for them/among them

• सप्तर्षयः: the Seven Sages

• धर्मम्: dharma, righteous order and conduct

• कथयन्ति: teach, narrate, expound

• इतरे: others

• अपि: also

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Saptarshi
• Kali (Kali-yuga)

FAQs

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

It frames Kali-yuga as a time when inner spiritual distinctions blur, so dharma must be explicitly taught; in Linga worship this supports returning to Śiva as Pati through disciplined conduct, mantra, and pūjā to cut Pāśa (bondage).

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

By implication, when beings become “nirviśeṣa” through Kali’s obscuration, they need dharma-guidance so the Pashu (bound soul) can reorient toward Pati (Śiva), the steady source of order beyond the fluctuations of yugas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights dharma-upadeśa (instruction in righteous discipline), which in Shaiva practice translates into regulated sādhanā—daily Śiva-pūjā, mantra-japa, and Pāśupata-style self-restraint—to resist Kali’s leveling tamas.