Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
दक्षयज्ञे सत्या अपमानबोधः — Satī Encounters Disrespect at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
यदि शक्तस्स्वयं शंभोर्निंदकस्य विशेषतः । छिंद्यात् प्रसह्य रसनां तदा शुद्ध्येन्न संशयः
yadi śaktassvayaṃ śaṃbhorniṃdakasya viśeṣataḥ | chiṃdyāt prasahya rasanāṃ tadā śuddhyenna saṃśayaḥ
إن كان المرء قادرًا—وخاصةً في شأن من يجدّف على شَمبهو (الربّ شيفا)—فعليه أن يقطع لسانه قسرًا؛ فحينئذٍ يتطهّر، ولا شكّ في ذلك.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it occurs in the Satīkhaṇḍa’s narrative on dharma/ācāra regarding Śiva-nindā (blasphemy of Śiva) and its expiation.
Significance: General Śaiva-ācāra teaching: guarding one’s speech/hearing from Śiva-nindā is treated as a purifier and protector of bhakti.
FAQs
The verse underscores the grave spiritual offense (aparādha) of Shiva-nindā—harmful speech against Śiva and His devotees—and teaches that purity is tied to restraining and correcting the tongue, the instrument of such offense.
Linga/Saguna-Śiva worship in the Purāṇa is founded on reverence, mantra, and purity of speech; this verse warns that disrespect toward Śiva directly contradicts devotional practice and blocks the fruit of worship.
The practical takeaway is discipline of speech: avoid Shiva-nindā, cultivate japa (especially the Panchākṣarī ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’), and maintain devotional purity—using the tongue for mantra rather than offense.