Shloka 7
सामान्यतो नरकगतिवर्णनम्
General Description of the Course of Hell / Naraka-gati
ततोंऽकुशैरग्निवर्णैर्लोह दण्डैश्च दारुणैः । हन्यंते किंकरैघोरैस्समन्तात्पापकर्म्मिणः
tatoṃ'kuśairagnivarṇairloha daṇḍaiśca dāruṇaiḥ | hanyaṃte kiṃkaraighoraissamantātpāpakarmmiṇaḥ
Then, on every side, the sinners—those engaged in evil deeds—are struck by the dreadful attendants, using fire-hued goads and harsh iron rods.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It underscores the Shaiva Siddhanta view that pāpa (sinful action) strengthens pasha (bondage) and results in inevitable suffering, urging the pashu (bound soul) to turn toward Pati (Shiva) through right conduct and devotion.
By contrasting the terror of karmic retribution with the refuge of Shiva, it implicitly directs the devotee to Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga with mantra and purity—as a path to cleanse karma and move toward Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-smarana with the Panchakshara mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with sattvic discipline; such practice is traditionally paired with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha to cultivate restraint and devotion.