Shloka 35
नरकलोकमार्गयमदूतस्वरूपवर्णनम् / Description of the Path to Naraka and the Nature of Yama’s Messengers
ग्रीवापाशेन कृष्यंते प्रयांत्यन्ये सुदुःखिताः । जिह्वांकुशप्रवेशेन रज्ज्वाकृष्यन्त एव ते
grīvāpāśena kṛṣyaṃte prayāṃtyanye suduḥkhitāḥ | jihvāṃkuśapraveśena rajjvākṛṣyanta eva te
Some, in extreme misery, are dragged along by a noose around the neck. Others too are pulled forward by a rope, as a goad is thrust into the tongue—thus are they driven on.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-samhita discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahākāla
FAQs
It depicts the pashu (bound soul) being forcibly driven by pasha (bondage)—especially karmic compulsion and suffering—highlighting the need to seek Pati, Lord Shiva, as the liberator who alone cuts the bonds.
The verse underscores the helplessness of beings under bondage; worship of Saguna Shiva in the Linga-form is presented in the Shiva Purana as an accessible refuge where grace (anugraha) arises, loosening karmic bonds and turning the soul toward liberation.
A practical takeaway is to counter bondage through Shiva-upasana—daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) with steady devotion, supported by Shaiva disciplines like bhasma (Tripundra) and rudraksha where appropriate.