Shloka 19
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
भ्रष्टाचारो हि यो विप्रः क्षत्रियो वैश्य एव च । यात्यंते द्विज तत्रैव यः श्वपाकेषु वह्निदः
bhraṣṭācāro hi yo vipraḥ kṣatriyo vaiśya eva ca | yātyaṃte dvija tatraiva yaḥ śvapākeṣu vahnidaḥ
A Brahmin fallen from right conduct—and likewise a Kshatriya or a Vaishya—goes, O twice-born, to the same end as one who kindles the funeral fire among the “śvapāka” (outcastes).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse teaches that spiritual outcome depends on conduct (ācāra) and karma, not merely birth-status; in Shaiva Siddhanta, ethical purity and devotion to Pati (Shiva) are essential for upliftment.
Linga-worship is meant to transform the devotee’s character; this verse underlines that outer identity without inner discipline is fruitless, while sincere Shiva-bhakti aligned with dharma leads toward Shiva’s grace.
Practice daily Shiva-smarana with the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintain dharmic vows (truthfulness, non-harm, purity), and perform repentance and corrective discipline when one falls from right conduct.