Shloka 25
नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions
अशेषनरकेष्वेव क्रमंति क्रमशः पुनः । ये गृह्णन्ति परद्रव्यं पद्भ्यां विप्रं स्पृशंति च
aśeṣanarakeṣveva kramaṃti kramaśaḥ punaḥ | ye gṛhṇanti paradravyaṃ padbhyāṃ vipraṃ spṛśaṃti ca
Those who seize another’s wealth, and those who touch a brāhmaṇa with their feet—such people, again and again, pass step by step through all the hells. From the Shaiva standpoint, these acts intensify bondage (pāśa) by hardening ego and disrespecting dharma, delaying the soul’s turning toward Śiva, the Liberator (Pati).
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya, as typical for Umāsaṃhitā discourse sections)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It warns that violating dharma through theft and contempt for sacred persons deepens karmic bondage (pāśa), causing repeated suffering and delaying liberation; the implied remedy is ethical restraint and reorientation to Śiva, the freeing Lord (Pati).
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is inseparable from purity of conduct; devotion to Saguna Śiva bears fruit when supported by non-injury, non-stealing, and reverence—otherwise worship becomes external while bondage remains.
Practice self-restraint (asteya), make amends through confession and charity, and stabilize the mind with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a vow of inner purification.