Shloka 33

नरकलोकवर्णनम् (Narakaloka-varṇanam) — Description of the Hell-Realms

Devanagari script

ग्राहकुंभीननक्राख्या स्सर्पकूर्माख्यवायसाः । गृध्रोलूकहलोकाख्याः शार्दूलक्रथकर्कटाः

Transliteration

grāhakuṃbhīnanakrākhyā ssarpakūrmākhyavāyasāḥ | gṛdhrolūkahalokākhyāḥ śārdūlakrathakarkaṭāḥ

Translation

There were beings known as crocodiles, kumbhīra-creatures, and makaras; others were called serpents, tortoises, and crows. Likewise there were those named vultures, owls, and (certain) haloka-beings, as well as tigers, kratha-creatures, and crabs.

Word by Word

• ग्राह-कुंभी-न-नक्र-आख्याः: called grāha, kuṃbhī, and nakra
• ग्राह-कुंभी-न-नक्र-आख्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक) + कुंभी (प्रातिपदिक) + नक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—“ग्राहकुंभीननक्राख्या ये” (those called/known as grāha, kuṃbhī, and nakra)

• सर्प-कूर्म-आख्य-वायसाः: called serpent-, tortoise-, and crow(-like)
• सर्प-कूर्म-आख्य-वायसाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक) + कूर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वायस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—“सर्पकूर्माख्यवायसा ये” (those called serpent/tortoise/crow)

• गृध्र-उलूक-हलोक-आख्याः: called vulture-, owl-, and haloka(-named)
• गृध्र-उलूक-हलोक-आख्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गृध्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उलूक (प्रातिपदिक) + हलोक (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—“गृध्रोलूकहलोकाख्या ये” (those called vulture, owl, and haloka)

• शार्दूल-क्रथ-कर्कटाः: tigers, (creatures called) kratha, and crabs
• शार्दूल-क्रथ-कर्कटाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शार्दूल (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रथ (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्कट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः—“शार्दूलाश्च क्रथाश्च कर्कटाश्च”

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Kālī

Role: destructive

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the vast diversity of embodied life (pashu) within Shiva’s cosmic order—many names and forms arise, yet all remain within the Lord’s governance, pointing to the Shaiva insight that liberation concerns the soul’s bondage, not the species-form.

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

By listing numerous species, the text underscores that Saguna Shiva, worshipped as the Linga and as the cosmic Lord, pervades and sustains all categories of beings; devotion is therefore not limited by birth or form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to cultivate equal-minded devotion—recite the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while contemplating Shiva as the indwelling Lord of all beings, supporting compassion and non-harm.