Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

पंथानमुल्लिखद्भिश्च सूकरैस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रिभिः । तीक्ष्णशृंगैश्च महिषैस्सर्वभूतैश्च श्वापदैः

Transliteration

paṃthānamullikhadbhiśca sūkaraistīkṣṇadaṃṣṭribhiḥ | tīkṣṇaśṛṃgaiśca mahiṣaissarvabhūtaiśca śvāpadaiḥ

Translation

ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ ದಂತಗಳಿರುವ ಕಾಡುಹಂದಿಗಳು ದಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಉರುಳಿ ಕೀಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು; ಮೊನಚಾದ ಕೊಂಬುಗಳಿರುವ ಎಮ್ಮೆಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ನಾನಾವಿಧ ಕ್ರೂರ ವನ್ಯಮೃಗಗಳು ಆ ಮಾರ್ಗವನ್ನು ಸುತ್ತುವರಿದಿದ್ದವು।

Word by Word

• पन्थानम्: the path/road
• पन्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पन्थान् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• उल्लिखद्भिः: by (those) scratching/digging up
• उल्लिखद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्-लिख् (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (Present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सूकरैः: by boars
• सूकरैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• तीक्ष्ण-दंष्ट्रिभिः: by (those) with sharp tusks
• तीक्ष्ण-दंष्ट्रिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीक्ष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + दंष्ट्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• तीक्ष्ण-शृङ्गैः: by (those) with sharp horns
• तीक्ष्ण-शृङ्गैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तीक्ष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• महिषैः: by buffaloes
• महिषैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• सर्व-भूतैः: by all beings/creatures
• सर्व-भूतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• श्वापदैः: by wild beasts/predators
• श्वापदैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वापद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It portrays the outer and inner obstacles that arise on the seeker’s path—symbolizing pāśa (bondage) and fear—implying that steadfast devotion and refuge in Lord Shiva enable one to pass through peril toward liberation.

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

By emphasizing danger and uncertainty on the journey, the verse supports the Purana’s teaching that taking shelter in Saguna Shiva—through Linga worship as a visible, grace-bestowing support—steadies the mind and protects the devotee amid worldly threats.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Maintain Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) and japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with simple devotion such as offering water to the Linga; this cultivates fearlessness and inner steadiness when facing obstacles.