Shloka 95

Adhyaya 89: शौचाचारलक्षणम् — सदाचार, भैक्ष्यचर्या, प्रायश्चित्त, द्रव्यशुद्धि, आशौच-निर्णय

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमव्यवस्था च त्रेताप्रभृति सुव्रताः भारते दक्षिणे वर्षे व्यवस्था नेतरेष्वथ

Transliteration

varṇāśramavyavasthā ca tretāprabhṛti suvratāḥ bhārate dakṣiṇe varṣe vyavasthā netareṣvatha

Translation

噢，持戒坚固者！自特雷塔劫（Tretā Yuga）起，种姓（varṇa）与住期（āśrama）的秩序在南方的婆罗多（Bhārata）得以建立；在其他地域则不如此确立。

Word by Word

• वर्णाश्रम-व्यवस्था: the organization of varṇa and āśrama

• च: and

• त्रेता-प्रभृति: beginning from the Tretā age

• सुव्रताः: O you of good vows (disciplined sages)

• भारते: in Bhārata

• दक्षिणे: in the southern

• वर्षे: division/continent (varṣa)

• व्यवस्था: established order/arrangement

• न: not

• इतरेषु: in the others (other regions)

• अथ: then/indeed

Speaker

Suta Goswami

FAQs

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

It locates the stable framework of dharma (varṇa–āśrama) specifically in Bhārata, implying that regulated conduct and Vedic-Śaiva rites for Mahādeva’s worship are most fully grounded there.

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

Indirectly, it presents Śiva as Pati—the Lord who upholds dharma through cosmic order; social discipline becomes a support for purification of the paśu (soul) and loosening of pāśa (bondage) through right living.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights adherence to yuga-appropriate dharma via varṇa–āśrama discipline, which serves as the preparatory ground for Śaiva sādhanā such as vrata, pūjā, and Pāśupata-oriented self-restraint.