Shloka 40

नरकलोकमार्गयमदूतस्वरूपवर्णनम् / Description of the Path to Naraka and the Nature of Yama’s Messengers

Devanagari script

भिन्दिपालैर्विभियंते स्रवतः पूयशोणितम् । शकृता कृमिदिग्धाश्च नीयंते विवशा नराः

Transliteration

bhindipālairvibhiyaṃte sravataḥ pūyaśoṇitam | śakṛtā kṛmidigdhāśca nīyaṃte vivaśā narāḥ

Translation

Terrified by spears, men are dragged along helplessly—oozing pus and blood, smeared with filth, and gnawed by worms.

Word by Word

• भिन्दिपालैः: by bhindipāla weapons (javelins)
• भिन्दिपालैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिन्दिपाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/करण) बहुवचनम्

• विभ्यन्ते: they fear/are terrified
• विभ्यन्ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-भी (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present); आत्मनेपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person) बहुवचनम्

• स्रवतः: flowing
• स्रवतः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्रव् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्तः वर्तमानकृदन्तः (Present active participle); नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd) एकवचनम् इव प्रयोगः—विशेषणरूपेण (पूयशोणितम्)

• पूयशोणितम्: pus and blood
• पूयशोणितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूय (प्रातिपदिक) + शोणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म) एकवचनम्; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (pus and blood)

• शकृता: with excrement
• शकृता: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शकृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/करण) एकवचनम्

• कृमिदिग्धाः: smeared with worms
• कृमिदिग्धाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृमि (प्रातिपदिक) + दिग्ध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; दिह् धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st) बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः—कृमिभिः दिग्धाः/लिप्ताः (smeared with worms); विशेषणम् (नराः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• नीयन्ते: are being led/taken
• नीयन्ते: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present); कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (Passive); प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person) बहुवचनम्

• विवशाः: helpless, powerless
• विवशाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विवश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st) बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (नराः)

• नराः: men/people
• नराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st) बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

It starkly illustrates the fruit of pāśa (bondage) through karma: when consciousness remains bound to sin and ignorance, the jīva experiences fear and helpless suffering, urging refuge in Pati (Shiva) through purification and devotion.

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

By showing the terror of karmic retribution, it implicitly points to Saguna Shiva—worshipped as the Linga—as the compassionate Lord who grants purification, protects devotees, and leads the bound soul from pāśa toward liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is śuddhi and śaraṇāgati: daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of renunciation and Shiva-centered awareness.