Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 68
भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन वृथा दानं वृथा तपः । वृथा यज्ञो वृथा होमः शिवनिन्दारतस्य तु
bahunātra kimuktena vṛthā dānaṃ vṛthā tapaḥ | vṛthā yajño vṛthā homaḥ śivanindāratasya tu
فما الحاجةُ إلى الإكثار من القول هنا؟ إن من أَلِفَ ذمَّ شيفا فصدقتُه باطلة، وزهدُه باطل؛ وذبيحتُه باطلة، وقرابينُه في النار باطلة.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: General warning: śiva-nindā is a grave aparādha that blocks the efficacy (phala) of dāna, tapaḥ, yajña, homa—i.e., pāśa tightens through hostility to Pati.
Significance: Functions as a pilgrimage ethic: do not malign Śiva or Śaiva symbols at tīrthas; otherwise even major observances become niṣphala.
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
The verse teaches that inner attitude determines spiritual fruit: hostility and slander toward Pati (Shiva) blocks the merit of outward dharmic acts like charity, austerity, and sacrifice, because the heart is turned away from grace (anugraha).
Linga/Saguna worship is grounded in reverence and devotion; if one is engaged in Shiva-ninda, even technically correct puja, yajna, or homa lacks the qualifying bhava, so the practice becomes spiritually barren rather than a means to Shiva’s favor.
Avoid Shiva-ninda and cultivate Shiva-bhakti through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and respectful worship; let external rites (homa, dana, vrata) be supported by humility and devotion.