Shloka 21

नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions

Devanagari script

ये निंदन्ति महात्मानं वाचकं धर्म्मदेशिकम् । देवाग्निगुरुभक्तांश्च धर्मशास्त्रं च शाश्वतम्

Transliteration

ye niṃdanti mahātmānaṃ vācakaṃ dharmmadeśikam | devāgnigurubhaktāṃśca dharmaśāstraṃ ca śāśvatam

Translation

Ceux qui calomnient le grand interprète du Dharma, qui dénigrent aussi les dieux, le feu sacré, le gourou, les dévots et les écritures éternelles du Dharma, tombent dans une grave faute spirituelle.

Word by Word

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक-सर्वनाम

• निन्दन्ति: they revile
• निन्दन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निन्द् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• महात्मानम्: the great-souled one
• महात्मानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वाचकम्: the reciter/expounder
• वाचकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• धर्म-देशिकम्: the teacher of dharma
• धर्म-देशिकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + देशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य देशिकः)

• देव-अग्नि-गुरु-भक्तान्: devotees of gods, fire, and gurus
• देव-अग्नि-गुरु-भक्तान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (देवाश्च अग्निश्च गुरवश्च—तेषां भक्ताः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• धर्म-शास्त्रम्: the scripture of dharma
• धर्म-शास्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य शास्त्रम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• शाश्वतम्: eternal
• शाश्वतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाश्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of धर्मशास्त्रम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the verse establishes dharma-supports for Śaiva life: honoring the dharmadeśika (teacher), devas, agni, guru, bhaktas, and dharmaśāstra. Reviling them is guru-nindā/deva-nindā—an obstruction to anugraha.

Significance: Frames pilgrimage as a discipline of reverence: honoring guru, devotees, and ritual fire sustains eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva-bhakti and liberating knowledge.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It warns that nindā (slander) of Dharma-teachers, devotees, and sacred authorities severs one from the supports of sādhana; in Shaiva understanding, such disrespect hardens the pāśa (bond) of ignorance and obstructs grace and liberation.

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

Linga/Saguna worship is sustained by right conduct—honoring guru, scripture, and devotees; slander contradicts bhakti and purity, making external worship fruitless without inner reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice vāg-saṃyama (disciplined speech), daily respectful remembrance of guru and Śiva-bhaktas, and recitation of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with an attitude free from criticism and contempt.