Shloka 46
सामान्यतो नरकगतिवर्णनम्
General Description of the Course of Hell / Naraka-gati
इत्थं व्यास कुकर्म्माणो नरकेषु पचंति हि । वर्णयामि विवर्णत्वं तेषां तत्त्वाय कर्म्मिणाम्
itthaṃ vyāsa kukarmmāṇo narakeṣu pacaṃti hi | varṇayāmi vivarṇatvaṃ teṣāṃ tattvāya karmmiṇām
ಹೀಗೆ, ಓ ವ್ಯಾಸ, ದುಷ್ಕರ್ಮ ಮಾಡುವವರು ನಿಜವಾಗಿಯೂ ನರಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಡಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆ ಕರ್ಮಿಗಳ ಭಯಾನಕ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ನಾನು ತತ್ತ್ವಾನುಸಾರವಾಗಿ ವರ್ಣಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it functions as dharma-śikṣā: Śiva warns Vyāsa that kukarma leads to naraka, illustrating karmic retribution under māyā (pāśa).
Significance: Ethical purification (śuddhi) as a prerequisite for Śiva-anugraha; motivates vrata, dāna, and śiva-pūjā to avoid pāśa-bound destinies.
FAQs
The verse underscores the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that harmful actions (kukarma) create binding consequences (pāśa), leading to suffering until karmic impurities are exhausted; it urges ethical living and turning toward Shiva for purification and liberation.
By highlighting karmic retribution, the verse implicitly points to Saguna Shiva (worshiped as the Linga) as the compassionate Lord who grants grace and purification—helping the devotee move from bondage under karma toward liberation through devotion and right conduct.
The practical takeaway is repentance and restraint supported by Shaiva sadhana—daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-pūjā with humility, and purificatory disciplines such as vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa wearing, aligned with non-harming and truthfulness.