Shloka 10
नरकलोकवर्णनम् (Narakaloka-varṇanam) — Description of the Hell-Realms
सनत्कुमार उवाच । एवं बहुविधैर्वाक्यैरुपलब्धा यमेन ते । स्वानि कर्माणि शोचंति तूष्णीं तिष्ठंति पार्थिवाः
sanatkumāra uvāca | evaṃ bahuvidhairvākyairupalabdhā yamena te | svāni karmāṇi śocaṃti tūṣṇīṃ tiṣṭhaṃti pārthivāḥ
Sanatkumāra said: Thus, reproved by Yama with many kinds of words, those earthly beings lament their own deeds and stand in silence.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the inevitability of karmic accountability: when Dharma (through Yama) exposes one’s deeds, the soul is forced into honest remorse. In Shaiva thought, such recognition is the first step toward turning from pāśa (bondage) toward Pati (Shiva) through purification and right conduct.
The verse shows the fruit of actions when one lives without refuge in Shiva. Linga-worship and devotion to Saguna Shiva are presented in the Purana as purifying disciplines that transform karma and cultivate humility, so that one need not face Yama’s rebuke with helpless silence but with inner reform and surrender.
A practical takeaway is daily self-review of actions (karmānusandhāna) followed by Shiva-remembrance—japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a corrective discipline that reduces sinful tendencies and strengthens dharmic living.