Shloka 36
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
मद्भावं शृणु गोत्रारे मयाद्यानुमितन्त्विदम् । भवान्तरे कृतं पापं श्रुता निन्दा भवस्य चेत्
madbhāvaṃ śṛṇu gotrāre mayādyānumitantvidam | bhavāntare kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ śrutā nindā bhavasya cet
Hear my intent, O foe of your lineage: I have now discerned this—if, in another life, you committed sin, or if you have listened to the disparagement of Bhava (Lord Śiva).
Lord Shiva (Bhava/Rudra), inferred from Shatarudrasaṃhitā dialogue context
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Significance: Frames nindā-śravaṇa (hearing blasphemy) as a karmic cause of continued bondage; warns the paśu that association and cognition can reinforce pāśa through tirodhāna (concealment of right knowledge).
FAQs
The verse highlights Shaiva ethics: spiritual downfall arises not only from one’s own wrongdoing but also from “śiva-nindā-śravaṇa” (listening to criticism of Shiva). It implies that purity of devotion and speech-listening is essential for grace (anugraha) and liberation.
Bhava here refers to the personal, Saguna Lord Shiva who grants protection and liberation. The verse warns that disrespect—especially hearing or entertaining insult toward Shiva—creates an obstacle (pāpa/āvaraṇa) to fruitful linga-bhakti and Shiva’s grace.
The practical takeaway is to avoid Shiva-nindā and to counter it through bhakti: daily remembrance of Shiva with the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with purificatory observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa when aligned with one’s practice.