Shloka 14
नरकलोकमार्गयमदूतस्वरूपवर्णनम् / Description of the Path to Naraka and the Nature of Yama’s Messengers
अयश्शृंगाटकैस्तीक्ष्णैः क्वचिद्दावाग्निना पुनः । क्वचित्तप्तशिलाभिश्च क्वचिद्व्याप्तं हिमेन च
ayaśśṛṃgāṭakaistīkṣṇaiḥ kvaciddāvāgninā punaḥ | kvacittaptaśilābhiśca kvacidvyāptaṃ himena ca
ある所では鋭い鉄の棘が散り敷かれ、またある所では荒れ狂う山火事に呑み込まれる。ある所では灼熱の岩が満ち、別の所では烈しい寒気と雪が道を覆っていた。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
FAQs
It portrays the harsh, opposing extremes of conditioned existence—pain, fear, heat, and cold—symbolizing how the pashu (bound soul) experiences pasha (bondage). In Shaiva Siddhanta, liberation comes by taking refuge in Pati, Lord Shiva, who alone can dissolve these bonds.
Such descriptions highlight why devotees seek the stabilizing refuge of Saguna Shiva—worshiping the Linga as the compassionate, accessible form of Pati—so the mind turns from worldly terrors to Shiva’s grace, which leads toward inner steadiness and release.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a disciplined, cooling focus of mind; if practicing Shiva-vrata, apply Tripundra (bhasma) and maintain remembrance of Shiva to cultivate fearlessness amid life’s extremes.