Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

ग्रसंतमिव शैलेन्द्रमुद्गिरंतमिवानलम् । मृत्युश्चैव समीपस्थः कालानलसमप्रभुः

Transliteration

grasaṃtamiva śailendramudgiraṃtamivānalam | mṛtyuścaiva samīpasthaḥ kālānalasamaprabhuḥ

Translation

He appeared as though swallowing a mighty mountain, and as though spewing forth blazing fire. Death itself stood close by—radiant and formidable like the fire of Time (kālānala).

Word by Word

• ग्रसन्तम्: devouring
• ग्रसन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रस् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण (acc. sg.)

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• शैलेन्द्रम्: the lord of mountains (a great mountain)
• शैलेन्द्रम्: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उद्गिरन्तम्: spewing forth
• उद्गिरन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + गॄ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण (acc. sg.)

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• अनलम्: fire
• अनलम्: Upamāna (उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मृत्युः: Death
• मृत्युः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• समीपस्थः: standing near/close by
• समीपस्थः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समीप + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक; स्थ = √स्था (धातु) + क)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (nom. sg. m.)

• कालानलसमप्रभुः: having splendor like the fire of Time (cosmic fire)
• कालानलसमप्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कालानल + सम + प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Kālāntaka

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: kālānala (time-fire)

Characters & Entities

• Mrityu
• Kala

FAQs

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

The verse uses terrifying cosmic imagery—devouring a mountain and emitting fire—to show the overwhelming power of Time and Death, reminding the seeker that only refuge in Pati (Śiva) leads beyond mṛtyu and bondage.

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

Such descriptions support Saguna contemplation: the devotee visualizes Shiva’s awe-inspiring sovereignty over kāla and mṛtyu, then steadies the mind in Linga-worship where the formless Lord is approached through a sacred form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Shiva as Kāla-kāla (the transcender of Time) while repeating the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”; as a supportive rite, apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and cultivate fearlessness through bhakti and japa.