Shloka 4
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
तथा पूयवहः प्रायो बहिर्ज्वालो ह्यधश्शिराः । संदंशः कालसूत्रश्च तमश्चावीचिरो धनः
tathā pūyavahaḥ prāyo bahirjvālo hyadhaśśirāḥ | saṃdaṃśaḥ kālasūtraśca tamaścāvīciro dhanaḥ
तसेच पूयवह, प्राय, बहिर्ज्वाल व अधश्शिर; आणि संदंश, कालसूत्र, तमस व अवीचि—हीही भयावह यातनास्थाने आहेत।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse catalogs specific narakas to underscore a Shaiva ethical point: suffering is the karmic maturation of impurity (mala) and binding action (karma), and liberation comes by turning toward Pati (Shiva) through right conduct, devotion, and purification.
By contrasting the grim results of tamasic, harmful deeds with the refuge of Saguna Shiva, the Purana implicitly directs the devotee toward Linga-worship, japa, and disciplined living—means by which karma is purified and the soul is oriented to Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is daily Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), repentance and non-harming, and Shaiva purification practices such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha—performed with devotion to reduce tamas and karmic bondage.