Shloka 31

सामान्यतो नरकगतिवर्णनम्

General Description of the Course of Hell / Naraka-gati

Devanagari script

कुंभीपाकेषु च तथा तप्ततैलेषु वै मुने । पापिनः कूरकर्म्माणोऽसह्येषु सर्वथा पुनः

Transliteration

kuṃbhīpākeṣu ca tathā taptataileṣu vai mune | pāpinaḥ kūrakarmmāṇo'sahyeṣu sarvathā punaḥ

Translation

O sage, sinners of cruel deeds are cast again and again into the hell called Kumbhīpāka, and likewise into cauldrons of scalding oil, wholly subjected to unbearable torments.

Word by Word

• कुंभीपाकेषु: in (the hells of) boiling cauldrons
• कुंभीपाकेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुंभीपाक (प्रातिपदिक; कुंभी + पाक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘कुंभीनां पाकेषु’ (in the cauldrons/boiling-pits)

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

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); ‘likewise/also’

• तप्ततैलेषु: in hot oils
• तप्ततैलेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तप्त-तैल (प्रातिपदिक; तप्त (कृदन्त) + तैल)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘तप्तं तैलं येषु’/‘तप्ततैलेषु’ (in hot oil)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); emphasis/assurance

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन

• पापिनः: the sinners
• पापिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पापिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; ‘sinful persons’

• कूरकर्माणः: doers of cruel acts
• कूरकर्माणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कूर-कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; कूर + कर्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘कूरं कर्म येषां ते’/‘कूरकर्माणः’ (those of cruel deeds)

• असह्येषु: in unbearable (places/torments)
• असह्येषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असह्य (प्रातिपदिक; a- + सह्य)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; ‘in unbearable (torments/places)’ (locative used substantively)

• सर्वथा: in every way
• सर्वथा: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); ‘in every way/entirely’

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb); ‘again/further’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the Shaiva moral law of karma: cruel actions strengthen pasha (bondage) and lead the soul into severe, repeated suffering, urging compassion and dharmic living as preparation for Shiva’s grace and liberation.

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

By contrasting the misery born of cruelty with the path of purification, it implicitly directs the devotee toward Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-archana, mantra, and conduct) as a means to cleanse karma and turn the mind toward Pati (Shiva), the liberator.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is repentance and self-restraint supported by Shaiva sadhana—regular japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) and disciplined, non-violent conduct—so that cruel tendencies do not ripen into painful karmic results.