Shloka 6
नरकलोकवर्णनम् (Narakaloka-varṇanam) — Description of the Hell-Realms
चित्रगुप्त उवाच । भो भो नृपा दुराचाराः प्रजा विध्वंसकारिणः । अल्पकालस्य राज्यस्य कृते किं दुष्कृतं कृतम्
citragupta uvāca | bho bho nṛpā durācārāḥ prajā vidhvaṃsakāriṇaḥ | alpakālasya rājyasya kṛte kiṃ duṣkṛtaṃ kṛtam
Citragupta said: “Alas, alas—O kings of wicked conduct, destroyers of your own subjects! For the sake of a short-lived reign, what sinful deeds have you committed?”
Citragupta
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It warns that worldly power is transient, while karma is enduring; harming others—especially one’s dependents—creates binding pāśa (bondage) that obstructs the soul’s return to Pati (Lord Shiva), the liberator.
Linga-worship signifies aligning one’s life with Shiva as the supreme moral and spiritual order; this verse contrasts true devotion (dharma, protection of beings) with hypocrisy—seeking rule while violating Shiva’s dharmic law that sustains creation.
A practical takeaway is daily self-audit of actions (karma-vicāra) alongside Shaiva disciplines—japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and sincere repentance (prāyaścitta) for harm done—so rulership or authority becomes service rather than exploitation.