Shloka 28

सामान्यतो नरकगतिवर्णनम्

General Description of the Course of Hell / Naraka-gati

Devanagari script

रौरवे रोदमानाश्च पीड्यंते विविधै वधैः । महारौरवपीडाभिर्महांतोऽपि रुदंति च

Transliteration

raurave rodamānāśca pīḍyaṃte vividhai vadhaiḥ | mahārauravapīḍābhirmahāṃto'pi rudaṃti ca

Translation

在“号叫”地狱中，哀号的众生遭受各种杀戮和惩罚的折磨。在“大号叫”地狱的痛苦之下，即使是强者也会因悲伤而哭泣。

Word by Word

• रौरवे: in Raurava (hell)
• रौरवे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• रोदमानाः: crying
• रोदमानाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रुद् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle), परस्मैपदी; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

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

• पीड्यन्ते: are tormented
• पीड्यन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पीड् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• विविधैः: by various
• विविधैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण (of vadhaiḥ)

• वधैः: by killings/torments
• वधैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन

• महा-रौरव-पीडाभिः: by the great Raurava-torments
• महा-रौरव-पीडाभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + रौरव (प्रातिपदिक) + पीडा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (पीडा), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (रौरवस्य पीडा; महती)

• महान्तः: great/mighty (ones)
• महान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (of implied beings)

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: even/also)

• रुदन्ति: cry
• रुदन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रुद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

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

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It emphasizes karmic retribution: when the soul (paśu) remains bound by pasha (sinful actions and ignorance), it experiences intense suffering. The verse urges dharma and turning toward Shiva, the Pati, as the liberating refuge beyond bondage.

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

By contrasting worldly power with inevitable karmic consequence, it points to Saguna Shiva (worshipped as the Linga) as the compassionate Lord who grants purification and protection. Linga-bhakti, supported by right conduct, is presented as a path away from bondage and toward Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namah Shivaya,” along with Shiva-oriented purification practices like applying Tripundra (bhasma) and maintaining dharmic restraint, is the practical takeaway to weaken pasha and cultivate liberation-oriented awareness.