Shloka 19
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
भ्रष्टाचारो हि यो विप्रः क्षत्रियो वैश्य एव च । यात्यंते द्विज तत्रैव यः श्वपाकेषु वह्निदः
bhraṣṭācāro hi yo vipraḥ kṣatriyo vaiśya eva ca | yātyaṃte dvija tatraiva yaḥ śvapākeṣu vahnidaḥ
Seorang Brahmana yang jatuh dari tata laku benar—demikian pula seorang Ksatriya atau Waisya—wahai yang dua kali lahir, mencapai akhir yang sama seperti orang yang menyalakan api kremasi di tengah para śvapāka (kaum terbuang).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Warns that varṇa/role does not shield one from karmic law; only ācāra and devotion aligned with dharma reduce pāśa and open the way to Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
The verse teaches that spiritual outcome depends on conduct (ācāra) and karma, not merely birth-status; in Shaiva Siddhanta, ethical purity and devotion to Pati (Shiva) are essential for upliftment.
Linga-worship is meant to transform the devotee’s character; this verse underlines that outer identity without inner discipline is fruitless, while sincere Shiva-bhakti aligned with dharma leads toward Shiva’s grace.
Practice daily Shiva-smarana with the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintain dharmic vows (truthfulness, non-harm, purity), and perform repentance and corrective discipline when one falls from right conduct.