Shloka 53
नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions
यः करोति महापापं धर्म्मं चरति वै लघु । धर्म्मं गुरुतरं वापि तथावस्थे तयोः शृणु
yaḥ karoti mahāpāpaṃ dharmmaṃ carati vai laghu | dharmmaṃ gurutaraṃ vāpi tathāvasthe tayoḥ śṛṇu
Whoever commits a great sin, yet practices only a little dharma—or even performs a weightier act of righteousness—listen to what becomes of these two in such a condition.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it introduces the doctrine of mixed karma (mahāpāpa alongside laghu/gurutara dharma) and its resultant ‘weighing’—a prelude to explaining karmic adjudication and possible uplift.
Significance: Promotes prāyaścitta, sustained dharma, and turning toward Śiva’s grace; emphasizes that even amidst pāpa, dharma has consequential force (though not always immediately liberating).
Role: teaching
FAQs
It introduces the Shaiva ethical principle that karma is assessed by the real weight of one’s actions—serious wrongdoing and genuine dharma both bear results—preparing the listener for a teaching on how merit and demerit are reconciled through right conduct and Shiva-oriented purification.
In the Uma Saṁhitā’s devotional-philosophical frame, turning toward Saguna Shiva (Linga worship with faith) becomes the practical means by which a sinner reforms: dharma is strengthened through devotion, restraint, and surrender to Shiva as Pati who loosens pāśa (bondage).
The implied takeaway is to increase dharma through Shiva-centered practice—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), disciplined vrata, and purificatory observances such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa with sincere repentance.