Shloka 21

नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions

Devanagari script

ये निंदन्ति महात्मानं वाचकं धर्म्मदेशिकम् । देवाग्निगुरुभक्तांश्च धर्मशास्त्रं च शाश्वतम्

Transliteration

ye niṃdanti mahātmānaṃ vācakaṃ dharmmadeśikam | devāgnigurubhaktāṃśca dharmaśāstraṃ ca śāśvatam

Translation

మహాత్ముడైన ధర్మోపదేశక వాచకుని నిందించే వారు, అలాగే దేవతలను, పవిత్ర అగ్నిని, గురువును, భక్తులను, శాశ్వత ధర్మశాస్త్రాన్ని అవమానించే వారు—ఘోర ఆధ్యాత్మిక దోషానికి లోనవుతారు।

Word by Word

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक-सर्वनाम

• निन्दन्ति: they revile
• निन्दन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निन्द् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• महात्मानम्: the great-souled one
• महात्मानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वाचकम्: the reciter/expounder
• वाचकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• धर्म-देशिकम्: the teacher of dharma
• धर्म-देशिकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + देशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य देशिकः)

• देव-अग्नि-गुरु-भक्तान्: devotees of gods, fire, and gurus
• देव-अग्नि-गुरु-भक्तान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (देवाश्च अग्निश्च गुरवश्च—तेषां भक्ताः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• धर्म-शास्त्रम्: the scripture of dharma
• धर्म-शास्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य शास्त्रम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• शाश्वतम्: eternal
• शाश्वतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाश्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier of धर्मशास्त्रम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the verse establishes dharma-supports for Śaiva life: honoring the dharmadeśika (teacher), devas, agni, guru, bhaktas, and dharmaśāstra. Reviling them is guru-nindā/deva-nindā—an obstruction to anugraha.

Significance: Frames pilgrimage as a discipline of reverence: honoring guru, devotees, and ritual fire sustains eligibility (adhikāra) for Śiva-bhakti and liberating knowledge.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: dhupa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It warns that nindā (slander) of Dharma-teachers, devotees, and sacred authorities severs one from the supports of sādhana; in Shaiva understanding, such disrespect hardens the pāśa (bond) of ignorance and obstructs grace and liberation.

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

Linga/Saguna worship is sustained by right conduct—honoring guru, scripture, and devotees; slander contradicts bhakti and purity, making external worship fruitless without inner reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice vāg-saṃyama (disciplined speech), daily respectful remembrance of guru and Śiva-bhaktas, and recitation of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with an attitude free from criticism and contempt.