Shloka 20

नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions

Devanagari script

आपूर्य्यते शिरस्तेषां तप्तैर्लोहस्य शंकुभिः । नासिका वातिबहुलैस्ततः क्षारादिभिर्भृशम्

Transliteration

āpūryyate śirasteṣāṃ taptairlohasya śaṃkubhiḥ | nāsikā vātibahulaistataḥ kṣārādibhirbhṛśam

Translation

Their heads are forcibly filled (pierced and stuffed) with red-hot iron spikes; then their nostrils, made to gush with violent winds, are intensely afflicted thereafter with caustic alkalis and other burning agents.

Word by Word

• आपूर्यते: is filled
• आपूर्यते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + पूर् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense)

• शिरः: the head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म/Object in passive; patient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• तप्तैः: with heated
• तप्तैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; तप्+क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• लोहस्य: of iron
• लोहस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• शंकुभिः: with spikes/pins
• शंकुभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• नासिका: the nose
• नासिका: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नासिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वाति-बहुलैः: with (things) abundant in wind
• वाति-बहुलैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वातिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + बहुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (वातिभिः बहुलैः = wind-filled/abounding in wind)

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Apadana/Sequence (अपादान/क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• क्षार-आदिभिः: with alkali and the like
• क्षार-आदिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षार (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समाहार/समुच्चयार्थे तत्पुरुषः (क्षारादयः = alkali etc.)

• भृशम्: excessively; intensely
• भृशम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भृशम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; this is naraka-phala (retributive consequence) imagery: sensory appropriation (smelling/possessing offerings) rebounds as sensory torture—nose and head become loci of karmic ripening.

Significance: Didactic deterrent: reinforces reverence for temple property and the seriousness of deva-dravya misuse; encourages śuddhi (purity) and humility in pilgrimage conduct.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It portrays the severe results of pasha (bondage) created by harmful actions: when the soul turns away from dharma and Shiva’s grace, karma ripens as intense suffering, urging repentance, purification, and surrender to Pati (Shiva).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By contrasting torment with refuge, the narrative implicitly points to Saguna Shiva—worshipped as the Linga—as the compassionate Lord who burns impurities and releases beings from pasha through devotion, right conduct, and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is regular Shiva-upasana: japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), wearing Rudraksha with purity of conduct, and Tripundra (bhasma) as a reminder of renunciation and karma-purification.