Shloka 21
पापभेदवर्णनम्
Classification of Sins / Taxonomy of Pāpa
ये पापनिरताः क्रूराः येऽपि हिंसाप्रिया नराः । वृत्त्यर्थं येऽपि कुर्वंति दानयज्ञादिकाः क्रियाः
ye pāpaniratāḥ krūrāḥ ye'pi hiṃsāpriyā narāḥ | vṛttyarthaṃ ye'pi kurvaṃti dānayajñādikāḥ kriyāḥ
Even those men who are devoted to sin, who are cruel and delight in violence—and even those who perform acts such as charity and sacrifice merely for livelihood—remain bound, for such deeds lack true devotion and purity of intent.
Lord Shiva (teaching Uma/Parvati in the Umāsaṃhitā discourse)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Warns against instrumentalizing dāna/yajña for livelihood or reputation; without śuddha-bhāva such acts do not cut pāśa, hence pilgrimage/ritual must be joined to inner transformation.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It stresses that outer dharma—like dāna and yajña—does not become spiritually purifying when driven by sinful conduct or selfish motive; in Shaiva thought, intention, purity, and devotion to Pati (Shiva) determine whether karma loosens bondage (pāśa).
Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is meant to transform the heart through bhakti and inner restraint; this verse cautions that ritual acts done as mere social display or livelihood, without turning toward Shiva with sincerity, fail to yield the deeper grace associated with true worship.
Practice charity and worship with śuddha-bhāva (pure intent), supported by ahimsa and repentance; combine daily Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) and japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so actions become offerings rather than transactions.