Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

निशितायुधवर्षेण भिद्यमानाश्च सर्वतः । महाक्षाराम्बुधाराभिस्सिच्यमाना व्रजंति च

Transliteration

niśitāyudhavarṣeṇa bhidyamānāśca sarvataḥ | mahākṣārāmbudhārābhissicyamānā vrajaṃti ca

Translation

ຖືກຟັນແຕກຈາກທຸກທິດດ້ວຍຝົນອາວຸດຄົມ ແລະຖືກສາດຊຸກຊື້ນດ້ວຍສາຍນ້ຳກັດກິນຮຸນແຮງ ແຕ່ພວກເຂົາຍັງຄົງກົດດັນໄປຂ້າງໜ້າ।

Word by Word

• niśita-āyudha-varṣeṇa: by the shower of sharp weapons
• niśita-āyudha-varṣeṇa: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niśita (प्रातिपदिक) + āyudha (प्रातिपदिक) + varṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; समासः: (niśitāni āyudhāni) iti कर्मधारय-तत्पुरुषः + varṣa = षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः; ‘by the shower of sharp weapons’

• bhidyamānāḥ: being pierced
• bhidyamānāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhid (धातु)
• Form: Present passive participle (वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्त/शानच्-प्रत्यय), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; ‘being split/being pierced’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• sarvataḥ: on all sides
• sarvataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय)

• mahā-kṣāra-ambu-dhārābhiḥ: by great streams of caustic/saline water
• mahā-kṣāra-ambu-dhārābhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣāra (प्रातिपदिक) + ambu (प्रातिपदिक) + dhārā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; समासः: mahā-kṣārāmbu-dhārā = कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-श्रृंखला (‘great’ + ‘alkaline/saline’ + ‘water’ + ‘streams’)

• sicyamānāḥ: being drenched
• sicyamānāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sic (धातु)
• Form: Present passive participle (वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्त/शानच्), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; ‘being sprinkled/drenched’

• vrajanti: they go
• vrajanti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vraj (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural; ‘they go’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

FAQs

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

It portrays the intensity of karmic and worldly assaults (pāśa) and the steadfast advance of beings despite pain—echoing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis that liberation comes through perseverance and grace, not through comfort.

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

Such battle-like imagery underscores why devotees take refuge in Saguna Shiva (the compassionate Lord accessible through worship): surrender to Shiva and Linga-upasana becomes the stabilizing center amid destructive forces.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a disciplined, patient mind is the practical takeaway—maintaining inner composure while outer conditions feel piercing and corrosive.