Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

मुसलोलूखलं यन्त्रं शिलाशकटलांगलम् । तालपत्रासिगहनं महाशकटमण्डपम्

Transliteration

musalolūkhalaṃ yantraṃ śilāśakaṭalāṃgalam | tālapatrāsigahanaṃ mahāśakaṭamaṇḍapam

Translation

There were contrivances like a pestle-and-mortar device, stone carts and ploughs; thickets dense with palm-leaf swords; and even a vast pavilion mounted upon a great cart.

Word by Word

• मुसलोलूखलम्: pestle-and-mortar (set)
• मुसलोलूखलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुसल-उलूखल (प्रातिपदिक: मुसल + उलूखल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व/समाहार (मुसलं च उलूखलं च)

• यन्त्रम्: machine; device
• यन्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शिलाशकटलाङ्गलम्: stone, cart, and plough (apparatus)
• शिलाशकटलाङ्गलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिला-शकट-लाङ्गल (प्रातिपदिक: शिला + शकट + लाङ्गल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व/समाहार (शिला च शकटं च लाङ्गलं च)

• तालपत्रासिगहनम्: a thicket dense with palm-leaves and swords
• तालपत्रासिगहनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तालपत्र-असि-गहन (प्रातिपदिक: तालपत्र + असि + गहन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (तालपत्रैः/असिभिः गहनम् = dense with palm-leaves and swords)

• महाशकटमण्डपम्: a great cart-pavilion; large wagon-hall
• महाशकटमण्डपम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—listed entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा-शकट-मण्डप (प्रातिपदिक: महा + शकट + मण्डप)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (महान् शकटमण्डपः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

By listing fearsome implements and engineered contrivances, the verse highlights the intensity of worldly force and conflict; from a Shaiva view, such power remains within Pāśa (bondage) unless surrendered to Pati (Śiva), the true refuge beyond all instruments.

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

These external devices contrast with the inner sanctuary of Liṅga-worship: Saguna Śiva is approached not through weapons or display but through devotion, purity, and steady remembrance—seeing Śiva as the indwelling Lord who transcends all constructed power.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is to replace reliance on external means with Śiva-smaraṇa: chant the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa, cultivating fearlessness and detachment amid turbulence.