Shloka 19

नरकनामनिर्णयः

Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes

Devanagari script

भ्रष्टाचारो हि यो विप्रः क्षत्रियो वैश्य एव च । यात्यंते द्विज तत्रैव यः श्वपाकेषु वह्निदः

Transliteration

bhraṣṭācāro hi yo vipraḥ kṣatriyo vaiśya eva ca | yātyaṃte dvija tatraiva yaḥ śvapākeṣu vahnidaḥ

Translation

正しい行いから堕したバラモンも、同じくクシャトリヤやヴァイシャも――おお二度生まれ（ドヴィジャ）よ――「シュヴァパーカ」（賤民）の中で葬火を焚く者と同じ末路に至る。

Word by Word

भ्रष्ट-आचारःof fallen conduct, corrupt

हिindeed

यःwho

विप्रःa Brahmin

क्षत्रियःa Kshatriya

वैश्यःa Vaishya

एवalso/indeed

चand

यातिgoes

अन्तेin the end

द्विजO twice-born

तत्रthere

एवindeed

यःwho

श्वपाकेषुamong dog-cookers (outcastes)

वह्नि-दःone who gives/sets fire (arsonist)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

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.

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

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

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.

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

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.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

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.