Shloka 14
नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions
कुर्वन्ति पित्रोर्भृकुटिं करनेत्राणि ये नरा । वक्त्राणि तेषां सांतानि कीर्य्यंते शंकुभिर्दृढम्
kurvanti pitrorbhṛkuṭiṃ karanetrāṇi ye narā | vaktrāṇi teṣāṃ sāṃtāni kīryyaṃte śaṃkubhirdṛḍham
Those men who make their father and mother frown in distress—causing pain to their ears and eyes—have their mouths firmly pierced with sharp stakes in the hereafter.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse teaches Shaiva dharma that harming or tormenting one’s parents is a grave pāpa that binds the soul (paśu) in painful karmic consequences; reverence and service to parents is a foundational discipline that supports purity, devotion, and liberation-oriented conduct.
Linga worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely ritual; it must be supported by right conduct (ācāra). This verse underscores that devotion to Saguna Shiva bears fruit when paired with dharmic living—especially gratitude and non-harm toward those who gave one life.
The practical takeaway is ethical sādhanā: daily service and respectful speech toward parents, coupled with Shiva-bhakti such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and repentance (prāyaścitta) to cleanse harsh actions and speech.