Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 54
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
तुलसीपत्रविच्छेदं शंखं हित्वा करोति यः । भार्याहीनो भवेत्सोपि रोगी स्यात्सप्तजन्मसु
tulasīpatravicchedaṃ śaṃkhaṃ hitvā karoti yaḥ | bhāryāhīno bhavetsopi rogī syātsaptajanmasu
Quien corta o quiebra hojas de tulasī, desatendiendo la santidad prescrita del śaṅkha (caracola sagrada), quedará sin esposa; y padecerá enfermedad durante siete nacimientos.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a dharma-śikṣā (disciplinary warning) about mishandling sacred emblems (Tulasī, śaṅkha) and the karmic consequences that follow.
Significance: Teaches careful observance (ācāra) in worship; in Śaiva Siddhānta this supports purification (mala-kṣaya) and fitness for Śiva’s anugraha by reducing avoidable pāpa that thickens pāśa (bondage).
FAQs
The verse stresses that bhakti must be joined with ācāra (right ritual conduct). Disrespecting sacred offerings and prescribed purity in worship creates karmic obstruction, manifesting as suffering and ill-health across births.
In Saguna worship—such as Linga-puja—offerings are not merely material; they are treated as consecrated acts. The verse warns that negligence in the ritual handling of sacred items (like leaves and the conch used for sanctifying water) diminishes the sanctity of worship and brings adverse karmic results.
Maintain disciplined puja: handle leaves and offerings respectfully, follow prescribed procedures for sanctifying water (often via śaṅkha), and support worship with mantra-japa—especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with purity and attentiveness.