Shloka 40

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

अस्मात्तु पततां दुःखं कष्टं स्वर्गाद्दिवौकसाम् नरके दुःखमेवात्र नरकाणां निषेवणात्

Transliteration

asmāttu patatāṃ duḥkhaṃ kaṣṭaṃ svargāddivaukasām narake duḥkhamevātra narakāṇāṃ niṣevaṇāt

Translation

ಈ ಸ್ವರ್ಗಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಿಂದ ಪತನಗೊಳ್ಳುವವರಿಗೆ ದುಃಖ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಕಠೋರ; ಸ್ವರ್ಗವಾಸಿಗಳು ಕೆಳಗೆ ಇಳಿದಾಗ ವೇದನೆ ತೀವ್ರವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನರಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ದುಃಖವನ್ನೇ ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕು, ಏಕೆಂದರೆ ನರಕಲೋಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸವು ಸ್ವಕರ್ಮಫಲದಿಂದಲೇ ಉಂಟಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

Word by Word

• asmāt: from this (state/world)

• tu: but/indeed

• patatām: of those falling down

• duḥkham: suffering

• kaṣṭam: severe/painful

• svargāt: from heaven

• divaukasām: of the heaven-dwellers (devas/meritorious enjoyers)

• narake: in hell

• duḥkham eva: only suffering

• atra: here/in this condition

• narakāṇām: of the hells/hell-realms

• niṣevaṇāt: from resorting to/abiding in (experiencing repeatedly)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Svarga
• Naraka

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It underlines that even Svarga is impermanent for the Pashu (individual soul) when merit is exhausted; Linga-worship oriented to Shiva as Pati aims beyond temporary heavens toward release from Pasha (bondage).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By implication, Shiva-tattva is the refuge beyond the dualities of Svarga and Naraka; unlike karmic destinations, Pati (Shiva) grants stability—freedom from cyclical falling and suffering.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The takeaway is vairagya (dispassion) toward heavenly enjoyments and a turn to Shaiva sadhana—Linga-puja and Pashupata-oriented discipline—to cut the karmic causes that lead to Naraka and repeated descent.