Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
रुद्र-विष्णोः ऐकत्व-उपदेशः तथा धर्म-आज्ञा
Instruction on Rudra–Viṣṇu Unity and Divine Injunctions
रुद्रभक्तो नरो यस्तु तव निंदां करिष्यति । तस्य पुण्यं च निखिलं द्रुतं भस्म भविष्यति
rudrabhakto naro yastu tava niṃdāṃ kariṣyati | tasya puṇyaṃ ca nikhilaṃ drutaṃ bhasma bhaviṣyati
Wenn jedoch ein Mensch, der Rudra ergeben ist, dich schmäht, dann wird all sein angesammeltes Verdienst rasch zu Asche werden.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It teaches that devotion is not merely external worship; if a Rudra-bhakta engages in nindā (slander), his puṇya is destroyed, showing that purity of speech and reverence are essential for receiving Śiva’s grace.
Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship is grounded in bhakti, śraddhā, and right conduct; this verse warns that disrespectful speech (nindā) contradicts true Śiva-upāsanā and undermines the spiritual fruits of such worship.
Practice vāṅ-niyama (discipline of speech) alongside Śiva-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and adopt a repentant, purifying routine such as applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra) with mindful devotion to avoid aparādha.