Shloka 79
Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya
Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification
परेषां च तथा दोषं न प्रशंसेद्विचक्षणः । विशेषेण तथा ब्रह्मञ्छ्रुतं दृष्टं च नो वदेत्
pareṣāṃ ca tathā doṣaṃ na praśaṃsedvicakṣaṇaḥ | viśeṣeṇa tathā brahmañchrutaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ ca no vadet
A discerning person should not delight in, or advertise, the faults of others. Most especially, O Brahman, he should not speak out what he has merely heard or even personally seen, when it would only spread blame.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Ethics of speech in Kāśī’s dharma teaching: refraining from fault-finding and rumor preserves inner purity, making the mind fit for Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Significance: Supports sāttvika speech and compassion; reduces interpersonal karma and mental agitation, aiding japa/dhyāna in the sacred kṣetra.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that a Shiva-bhakta purifies karma and mind by refusing to spread others’ defects; restraint in speech supports inner śuddhi (purity), which is essential for grace (anugraha) and liberation in Shaiva thought.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner purity along with outer ritual; avoiding slander and gossip is a direct form of mental worship (mānasa-pūjā), aligning the devotee with Shiva’s sattvic, compassionate nature.
Practice vāṅ-niyama (discipline of speech) during japa of the Panchakshara mantra—silence where possible, speaking only what is true and beneficial—especially on Mahashivratri or during daily Shiva-puja.