Shloka 37

नरकलोकवर्णनम् (Narakaloka-varṇanam) — Description of the Hell-Realms

Devanagari script

सुतप्तलोहशयन एकपादः प्रपूरणः । असितालवनं घोरमस्थिभंगः सुपूरणः

Transliteration

sutaptalohaśayana ekapādaḥ prapūraṇaḥ | asitālavanaṃ ghoramasthibhaṃgaḥ supūraṇaḥ

Translation

ಅವನು ಕೆಂಪಾಗಿ ಕುದಿದ ಕಬ್ಬಿಣದ ಹಾಸಿಗೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಲಗಿದನು; ಒಂದು ಕಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತು ಘೋರ ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮಾಡಿದನು. ಭಯಾನಕ ಅಸಿತಾಲ ವನಕ್ಕೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿ, ಎಲುಬುಗಳು ಮುರಿದರೂ ಅಚಲವಾಗಿ ತಪಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಪೂರ್ಣಗೊಳಿಸಲು ನಿಬದ್ಧನಾಗಿದ್ದನು।

Word by Word

• सुतप्तलोहशयनः: one whose bed is of well-heated iron
• सुतप्तलोहशयनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-तप्त-लोह-शयन (प्रातिपदिक: सु + तप्त + लोह + शयन)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुष (सुतप्तं लोहं यस्य शयनम्/लोहशयनम्)

• एकपादः: one-footed; having one leg
• एकपादः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकपाद (प्रातिपदिक: एक + पाद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (एकः पादः यस्य/एकपादः)

• प्रपूरणः: one who fills completely; full-filling
• प्रपूरणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रपूरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• असितालवनम्: a forest of swords and palmyra trees
• असितालवनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—described entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असितालवन (प्रातिपदिक: असि + ताल + वन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (असयः तालाः च यत्र वनम्/‘forest of swords and palmyras’)

• घोरम्: terrible
• घोरम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifies असितालवनम्)

• अस्थिभंगः: bone-breaking; fracture of bones
• अस्थिभंगः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्थिभंग (प्रातिपदिक: अस्थि + भंग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अस्थीनां भंगः)

• सुपूरणः: excellent filler; well-completing
• सुपूरणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject—epithet)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-पूरण (प्रातिपदिक: सु + पूरण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (‘सु’ इति विशेषणपूर्वकः पूरणः)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It highlights unwavering tapas (austerity) as a means to purify the pashu (bound soul) from pasha (bondage) and turn the mind steadily toward Pati (Shiva), showing that steadfastness in dharma and devotion is greater than bodily pain.

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

Such descriptions frame the inner attitude required for Saguna Shiva worship—single‑pointed resolve, self-restraint, and surrender—by which the devotee becomes fit to receive Shiva’s grace (anugraha), the true fulfiller of all vows.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is disciplined vow-based sadhana: steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), meditation with one-pointed focus, and a life of restraint; external severity is secondary to inner constancy and devotion.