Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
शिववेषतया लोके येन केनापि हेतुना । ते सर्वे परिहर्तव्या नानेतव्याः कदाचन
śivaveṣatayā loke yena kenāpi hetunā | te sarve parihartavyā nānetavyāḥ kadācana
In this world, those who, for any reason whatsoever, assume the guise of Śiva—such persons are all to be avoided and should never be brought into one’s company.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
It teaches discernment (viveka): outward marks of Śaiva identity are meaningful only when supported by inner devotion and right conduct; hypocrisy in the name of Śiva is to be avoided to protect one’s bhakti and dharma.
Liṅga and saguna worship emphasize reverence, purity, and truthfulness; the verse cautions that merely imitating Śiva’s external signs without genuine surrender and discipline is a distortion of Śaiva practice.
Choose sat-saṅga with sincere Śiva-bhaktas; wear Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa only with humility, maintain japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and avoid associating with those who use Śaiva symbols for deception.