Shloka 36

नरकनामनिर्णयः

Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes

Devanagari script

नरकस्वर्गसंज्ञाये पापपुण्ये द्विजोत्तम । ययोस्त्वेकं तु दुःखायान्यत्सुखायोद्भवाय च

Transliteration

narakasvargasaṃjñāye pāpapuṇye dvijottama | yayostvekaṃ tu duḥkhāyānyatsukhāyodbhavāya ca

Translation

O best of the twice-born, sin and merit are known respectively as “hell” and “heaven”: of the two, the one results in suffering, while the other gives rise to happiness.

Word by Word

• नरक: hell
• नरक: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूपेण समासाङ्ग

• स्वर्ग: heaven
• स्वर्ग: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूपेण समासाङ्ग

• संज्ञाये: in (that which is) termed hell and heaven
• संज्ञाये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (नरकस्वर्गयोः संज्ञा) = 'having the designation of hell/heaven'; अधिकरण

• पाप: sin
• पाप: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूपेण समासाङ्ग

• पुण्ये: in sin and merit
• पुण्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (पाप + पुण्य) → पापपुण्ये; अधिकरण

• द्विजोत्तम: O best of twice-born
• द्विजोत्तम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (द्विजानाम् उत्तमः)

• ययोः: of which two
• ययोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन; सम्बन्ध

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधान/विरोधार्थक-निपात (emphatic/contrast particle)

• एकम्: one (thing)
• एकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेष्य-निर्देश (one of the two)

• तु: indeed
• तु: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधानार्थक (emphasis)

• दुःखाय: for suffering
• दुःखाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/चतुर्थी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; प्रयोजन (for the purpose/result)

• अन्यत्: the other
• अन्यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'the other'

• सुखाय: for happiness
• सुखाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/चतुर्थी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रयोजन

• उद्भवाय: for arising/production
• उद्भवाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/चतुर्थी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रयोजन ('for arising/production')

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames svarga/naraka as names for puṇya/pāpa outcomes—didactically reducing them to karmic states; encourages transcending both through Śiva-oriented liberation rather than remaining within reward/punishment cycles.

FAQs

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

It frames heaven and hell as names for karmic outcomes—pāpa ripens as suffering and puṇya ripens as happiness—pointing the seeker beyond both results toward liberation through right knowledge and Shiva’s grace.

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

Linga/Saguna Shiva worship purifies intention and action, transforming karma (pāśa). The verse highlights that ritual and devotion should not aim merely at svarga, but at transcending karma by surrender to Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to perform Shiva-pūjā with the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering actions without desire for reward, so that puṇya is not the final goal but a step toward moksha.