Shloka 10
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
साध्व्या विक्रयकृच्चाथ वार्द्धकी केशविक्रयी । तप्तलोहेषु पच्यंते यश्च भक्तं परित्यजेत्
sādhvyā vikrayakṛccātha vārddhakī keśavikrayī | taptaloheṣu pacyaṃte yaśca bhaktaṃ parityajet
जो स्त्री अपने शरीर का विक्रय कर जीविका चलाती है, जो वेश्या-वृत्ति करती है, जो केश बेचती है, और जो शिव-भक्त का परित्याग करता है—ऐसे लोग तप्त लोहे में पकाए जाते हैं।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages, within the Uma Samhita’s ethical-philosophical teaching context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it warns against social/ethical degradations and, notably, ‘bhakta-parityāga’ (abandoning a Śiva-bhakta), treating it as a serious offense that deepens bondage.
Significance: Affirms satsanga as a Śaiva virtue: honoring devotees is a pathway toward anugraha; rejecting them is a cause of spiritual fall.
FAQs
It warns against bhakta-aparādha (offense to devotees): forsaking or harming a true Śiva-bhakta is treated as a grave karmic fault, bringing intense suffering and obstructing the soul’s progress toward Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva practice, reverence for the Liṅga is inseparable from reverence for Śiva’s devotees; honoring bhaktas is honoring Saguna Śiva’s living presence, while rejecting them contradicts authentic Liṅga-bhakti.
The practical takeaway is to maintain bhakti with ethical purity: serve and respect Śiva-bhaktas, avoid bhakta-aparādha, and steady one’s devotion through japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") alongside disciplined conduct.