Shloka 51

नरकलोकमार्गयमदूतस्वरूपवर्णनम् / Description of the Path to Naraka and the Nature of Yama’s Messengers

Devanagari script

सर्वायुधोद्धतकरं सर्वदण्डेन तर्जयन् । महामहिषमारूढं दीप्ताग्निसमलोचनम्

Transliteration

sarvāyudhoddhatakaraṃ sarvadaṇḍena tarjayan | mahāmahiṣamārūḍhaṃ dīptāgnisamalocanam

Translation

Ia mengangkat tinggi segala senjata di tangannya dan mengancam dengan segala macam hukuman; menunggang kerbau raksasa, matanya menyala bagaikan api yang berkobar.

Word by Word

• सर्वायुधोद्धतकरम्: having hands raised with all weapons
• सर्वायुधोद्धतकरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + आयुध + उद्धत + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषण (acc. sg. n.)

• सर्वदण्डेन: with every staff/rod
• सर्वदण्डेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• तर्जयन्: threatening
• तर्जयन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• महामहिषमारूढम्: mounted on a great buffalo
• महामहिषमारूढम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामहिष + आरूढ (प्रातिपदिक; आरूढ = √रुह् (धातु) + आ- उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (acc. sg. n.)

• दीप्ताग्निसमलोचनम्: whose eyes are like blazing fire
• दीप्ताग्निसमलोचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीप्त + अग्नि + सम + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (acc. sg. n.)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

The verse depicts a fearsome, tamasic force—armed, punitive, and fire-eyed—symbolizing the intimidating power of bondage (pāśa) that confronts the soul (paśu). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such fear is ultimately overcome by taking refuge in Pati (Shiva), whose grace dissolves inner darkness.

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

By portraying terrifying worldly and demonic power, the narrative implicitly directs the devotee toward Saguna Shiva as protector and refuge. Linga-worship centers the mind on Shiva’s stabilizing presence, making external threats and inner agitation lose their hold.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and maintain Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of Shiva’s guardianship when confronted by fear or hostility.