Shloka 15

कलिस्वरूप-वर्णनम् एवं कालमान-प्रस्तावना

Devanagari script

उपवासस् तथायासो वित्तोत्सर्गस् तथा कलौ धर्मो यथाभिरुचितैर् अनुष्ठानैर् अनुष्ठितः

Transliteration

upavāsas tathāyāso vittotsargas tathā kalau dharmo yathābhirucitair anuṣṭhānair anuṣṭhitaḥ

Translation

在迦梨时代，正法依各人能力而行：或持斋禁食，或勤苦精进，或舍财布施；人们随其意乐与力量，以所择之行持来奉行达摩。

Word by Word

• उपवासः: fasting
• उपवासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• आयासः: exertion, effort
• आयासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वित्तोत्सर्गः: giving away of wealth
• वित्तोत्सर्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वित्त (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (vittasya utsargaḥ)

• तथा: also, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• कलौ: in Kali (age)
• कलौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• धर्मः: dharma, religious duty
• धर्मः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• यथा: as, according to
• यथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (comparative/according as)

• अभिरुचितैः: by (things) approved/pleasing
• अभिरुचितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभिरुचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √रुच् (धातु) + अभि + क्त)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (approved/liked)

• अनुष्ठानैः: by observances/rites
• अनुष्ठानैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुष्ठान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• अनुष्ठितः: performed, carried out
• अनुष्ठितः: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुष्ठित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; अनु + √स्था (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in dialogue with Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: What forms of dharma remain practicable in Kali-yuga?

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In Kali-yuga, dharma is sustained through attainable disciplines—fasting, earnest effort, and charity—chosen according to one’s capacity and disposition.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Adopt sustainable vows (moderate upavāsa), consistent seva, and regular giving; prioritize continuity and sincerity over extremity.

Vishishtadvaita: Supports the Vishishtadvaita emphasis on embodied practice (service, giving) as meaningful offerings to the Lord within the real, value-laden world.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

FAQs

What is the significance of Kali-yuga dharma in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse states that in Kali-yuga dharma is sustained through accessible practices—fasting, sincere effort, and charitable giving—chosen according to one’s capacity.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the practice of dharma in Kali-yuga?

Parāśara presents Kali-yuga dharma as adaptable: rather than demanding uniform austerities, it is fulfilled through suitable observances (anushthānas) aligned with a person’s ability and circumstances.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

By defining yuga-dharma, the Purana frames moral order as part of Vishnu’s cosmic governance—dharma persists even in Kali through practicable disciplines that keep beings aligned with the Supreme Reality.