Shloka 39

नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions

Devanagari script

धन्वन्तर्यर्थमीशान्यां प्राच्यामिन्द्राय निःक्षिपेत् । याम्यां यमाय वारुण्यां सुदक्षोमाय दक्षिणे

Transliteration

dhanvantaryarthamīśānyāṃ prācyāmindrāya niḥkṣipet | yāmyāṃ yamāya vāruṇyāṃ sudakṣomāya dakṣiṇe

Translation

To invoke Dhanvantari, one should place the offering/rite in the north‑east (Īśāna). In the eastern direction, one should deposit it for Indra; in the southern quarter for Yama; in the western quarter, Varuṇa’s; and in the south, for Sudakṣoma.

Word by Word

• dhanvantari-artham: for Dhanvantari (as purpose)
• dhanvantari-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhanvantari (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: dhanvantareḥ arthaḥ = ‘for Dhanvantari’s purpose’ (used as ‘for Dhanvantari’)

• īśānyām: in the northeast (direction)
• īśānyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśānī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• prācyām: in the east
• prācyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prācī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• indrāya: to/for Indra
• indrāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• niḥkṣipet: should place/throw down
• niḥkṣipet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nis-√kṣip (धातु)
• Form: Optative/vidhiliṅ (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• yāmyām: in the south (Yama’s quarter)
• yāmyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāmyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• yamāya: to/for Yama
• yamāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vāruṇyām: in the western (Varuṇa’s) quarter
• vāruṇyām: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāruṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• sudakṣomāya: to/for Sudakṣoma
• sudakṣomāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-dakṣoma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन); karmadhāraya: su + dakṣoma (proper name/epithet)

• dakṣiṇe: in the south/right side
• dakṣiṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन) (directional usage)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Īśāna

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Dhanvantari
• Indra
• Yama
• Varuna
• Sudaksoma

FAQs

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

It teaches that worship is not random but aligned with cosmic order (ṛta): directions, deities, and intention are harmonized so the rite becomes disciplined and sattvic, supporting inner purification on the Shaiva path.

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

Even when the goal is devotion to Shiva as Pati (the Lord), Saguna worship follows precise vidhi. Directional placements honor the cosmic guardians and remove obstacles, so the devotee’s Linga-puja proceeds without disturbance and with proper sanctity.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is dik-nyāsa/directional arrangement during puja: place offerings or ritual items in prescribed directions while maintaining mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) and a focused, orderly mind.