Shloka 43

Devanagari script

एवं न्यायेन कष्टेन प्राप्ताः प्रेतपुरं यदा । प्रज्ञापितास्ततो दूतैर्निवेश्यंते यमाग्रतः

Transliteration

evaṃ nyāyena kaṣṭena prāptāḥ pretapuraṃ yadā | prajñāpitāstato dūtairniveśyaṃte yamāgrataḥ

Translation

Так, когда — по строгому пути правосудия и через мучительные тяготы — они достигают Города усопших (Претапуры), посланники Ямы распознают их, докладывают и ставят перед Ямой для суда.

Word by Word

एवम्thus

न्यायेनby justice/according to rule

कष्टेनwith hardship

प्राप्ताःhaving reached/arrived

प्रेतपुरम्city of the departed (pretas)

यदाwhen

प्रज्ञापिताःhaving been informed/announced

ततःthen/from there

दूतैःby the messengers

निवेश्यन्तेare made to enter/are placed

यमाग्रतःin front of Yama

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: karmic adjudication (dharma-nyāya) in Pretapura prior to naraka/svarga allotment

Characters & Entities

Yama

Yamadutas

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that embodied beings (paśu) are bound by karma (a form of pāśa) and must face the lawful consequences of actions; suffering arises from bondage, while Shiva’s grace and right conduct lead toward liberation.

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

By highlighting Yama’s judgment under the rule of dharma, it indirectly points to the refuge of Saguna Shiva (Linga worship) as the compassionate Lord who purifies karma through devotion, repentance, and right living, leading the soul beyond fear of post-death suffering.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a dharmic life and daily remembrance of Shiva, cultivating inner purity so karma does not drag one into painful post-mortem states.