Shloka 20
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
व्रतस्य लोपका ये च स्वाश्रमाद्विच्युताश्च ये । संदंशयातनामध्ये पतंति भृशदारुणे
vratasya lopakā ye ca svāśramādvicyutāśca ye | saṃdaṃśayātanāmadhye pataṃti bhṛśadāruṇe
जो अपने व्रतों का लोप करते हैं, और जो अपने-अपने आश्रम-धर्म से च्युत हो जाते हैं—वे अत्यन्त दारुण ‘संदंश’ नामक यातना-नरक में गिरते हैं।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Umāsaṃhitā discourse)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Affirms the Śaiva Siddhānta stress on niyama and vrata as purifiers; vow-breaking strengthens pāśa and blocks the descent of anugraha.
FAQs
It warns that violating vowed disciplines (vrata) and abandoning one’s āśrama-dharma strengthens pāśa (bondage) and leads to painful karmic retribution; steadiness in dharma is presented as a prerequisite for purification and eventual grace-oriented liberation in the Shaiva frame.
Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion in the Shiva Purana are repeatedly tied to niyama—truthfulness, purity, and vow-keeping. This verse underscores that outer worship without inner discipline becomes hollow; vrata supports the devotee’s fitness (adhikāra) for Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
Maintain one’s chosen Shiva-vrata with consistency—daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), purity disciplines, and regulated conduct suited to one’s āśrama; these stabilize the mind and prevent vow-lapse that creates heavier karmic bondage.