Shloka 26
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
स्थावराः कृमिपाकाश्च पक्षिणः पशवो मृगाः । धार्मिकास्त्रिदशास्तद्वन्मोक्षिणश्च यथाक्रमम्
sthāvarāḥ kṛmipākāśca pakṣiṇaḥ paśavo mṛgāḥ | dhārmikāstridaśāstadvanmokṣiṇaśca yathākramam
Menurut urutan: mula-mula makhluk tak bergerak, lalu cacing dan serangga, lalu burung, lalu hewan ternak dan binatang liar; sesudahnya manusia saleh, kemudian para dewa—dan demikian pula, dalam urutan itu, para peraih mokṣa.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-saṃhitā teachings to the sages in the Shiva Purana’s discourse style)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
It presents a graded ascent of embodied life, implying that consciousness matures through many births; by dharma and Shiva’s grace, the bound soul (paśu) can rise beyond lower embodiments toward liberation.
The verse frames liberation as a culmination of spiritual refinement; in the Shiva Purana, Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga devotion—purifies karma and steadies the mind, accelerating the soul’s rise toward moksha.
The practical takeaway is dharmic living supported by Shiva-upāsanā: regular japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-pūjā with bhasma and bilva, and disciplined conduct that reduces bondage (pāśa).