Shloka 38
दक्षयज्ञे सत्या अपमानबोधः — Satī Encounters Disrespect at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
सत्युवाच । यो निंदति महादेवं निंद्यमानं शृणोति वा । तावुभौ नरकं यातौ यावच्चन्द्रदिवाकरौ
satyuvāca | yo niṃdati mahādevaṃ niṃdyamānaṃ śṛṇoti vā | tāvubhau narakaṃ yātau yāvaccandradivākarau
Satī said: “Whoever reviles Mahādeva, or even listens while He is being reviled—both of them go to hell for as long as the moon and the sun endure.”
Satī
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Cosmic-duration curse imagery: punishment ‘as long as sun and moon endure’.
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva-nindā (reviling Lord Śiva) is a grave spiritual offense, and even passive participation—silently hearing blasphemy—creates heavy karmic bondage, obstructing devotion (bhakti) and the path toward Śiva’s grace and liberation.
In the Shiva Purana, Saguna Śiva (worshipped as Mahādeva and through the Śiva-liṅga) is approached through reverence and purity of speech and mind. This verse underscores that honoring Śiva and refusing disrespect are foundational disciplines that protect liṅga-upāsanā and deepen bhakti.
The practical takeaway is to avoid Śiva-nindā, leave or stop conversations that insult Śiva, and re-center the mind with Śiva-smaraṇa—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a remedial act of devotion.