Shloka 26
नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
स्थावराः कृमिपाकाश्च पक्षिणः पशवो मृगाः । धार्मिकास्त्रिदशास्तद्वन्मोक्षिणश्च यथाक्रमम्
sthāvarāḥ kṛmipākāśca pakṣiṇaḥ paśavo mṛgāḥ | dhārmikāstridaśāstadvanmokṣiṇaśca yathākramam
Menurut tertibnya datanglah makhluk tidak bergerak (sthāvara), kemudian cacing dan serangga, kemudian burung, kemudian haiwan ternak dan binatang liar; selepas itu manusia yang berpegang pada dharma, kemudian para dewa—dan demikian juga, dalam urutan yang sama, mereka yang mencapai mokṣa (pembebasan).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-saṃhitā teachings to the sages in the Shiva Purana’s discourse style)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
It presents a graded ascent of embodied life, implying that consciousness matures through many births; by dharma and Shiva’s grace, the bound soul (paśu) can rise beyond lower embodiments toward liberation.
The verse frames liberation as a culmination of spiritual refinement; in the Shiva Purana, Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga devotion—purifies karma and steadies the mind, accelerating the soul’s rise toward moksha.
The practical takeaway is dharmic living supported by Shiva-upāsanā: regular japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-pūjā with bhasma and bilva, and disciplined conduct that reduces bondage (pāśa).