Shloka 53
भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
यदंगमपराध्नोति कार्यं तस्यैव शासनम् । अतो येन कृता निन्दा तच्छिन्नम्पञ्चमं शिरः
yadaṃgamaparādhnoti kāryaṃ tasyaiva śāsanam | ato yena kṛtā nindā tacchinnampañcamaṃ śiraḥ
When a limb commits an offence, the correction is meant for that very limb. Therefore, the one by whom the slander was uttered—his fifth head was cut off.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It teaches that adharma is corrected precisely at its source: when ego or wrongdoing manifests through a specific faculty, divine discipline targets that very instrument, guiding the soul back toward Shiva (Pati) and right conduct.
As Saguna Shiva, the Lord protects dharma and removes arrogance that breeds slander; Linga-worship emphasizes humility and reverence, the opposite of nindā, aligning the devotee’s speech and mind with Shiva.
Guard speech through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivate reverence; avoid nindā as a core vrata, supporting purity for worship with bhasma (Tripundra) and Rudra-japa.