Shloka 38
नरकलोकमार्गयमदूतस्वरूपवर्णनम् / Description of the Path to Naraka and the Nature of Yama’s Messengers
आभिद्यमानाः कुंतैश्च भिद्यमानाश्च सायकैः । इतश्चेतश्च धावंतः क्रंदमाना निराश्रयाः
ābhidyamānāḥ kuṃtaiśca bhidyamānāśca sāyakaiḥ | itaścetaśca dhāvaṃtaḥ kraṃdamānā nirāśrayāḥ
ಕುಂತಗಳಿಂದ ಚುಚ್ಚಲ್ಪಟ್ಟು, ಬಾಣಗಳಿಂದ ಭೇದಿತರಾಗಿ ಅವರು ಇತ್ತಿಚ್ಚೆ ಓಡಾಡುತ್ತಾ, ಅಳಲುತ್ತಾ ಆಶ್ರಯವಿಲ್ಲದವರಾದರು.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights the helplessness of beings caught in suffering and fear, pointing—through contrast—to the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that only Pati (Lord Shiva) is the ultimate refuge when worldly supports fail.
The verse depicts the collapse of external shelter; Linga-worship and Saguna Shiva devotion embody śaraṇāgati—turning to Shiva as the stable center beyond change, where protection is sought not in weapons or allies but in the Lord.
Practice śaraṇāgati through japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” mentally offering fear and pain into Shiva’s protection; if following Shaiva custom, accompany with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders of detachment and refuge.