Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 19
शिवतत्त्वे परापरभावविचारः
Inquiry into Śiva’s Principle and the Parā–Aparā Paradox
चिच्छेद बहुशो देवो ब्रह्मणः पञ्चमं शिरः । शिवनिन्दां प्रकुर्वंतं पुत्रेति कुमतेर्हठात्
ciccheda bahuśo devo brahmaṇaḥ pañcamaṃ śiraḥ | śivanindāṃ prakurvaṃtaṃ putreti kumaterhaṭhāt
Lalu Dewa Śiva berulang kali memenggal kepala kelima Brahmā, sebab si dungu itu dengan keras kepala menghina Śiva dan lancang menyebut-Nya “anakku”.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is upheld as Śiva’s own seat where false pride and blasphemy are cut down; the motif of severing Brahmā’s head resonates with Bhairava/Kapāla narratives tied to Kāśī’s expiation and lordship.
Significance: Removes pāpa and grants jñāna-vairāgya; Kāśī is famed for liberation-bestowing grace under Viśvanātha’s protection.
Type: stotra
Role: destructive
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva (Pati), the supreme Lord, protects dharma by restraining ego and blasphemy; Śiva-nindā is a grave fault that binds the soul (paśu) with pasha (bondage) and blocks liberating knowledge.
The episode underscores reverence toward Saguna Śiva as the accessible form of the Supreme; honoring Śiva through Liṅga-worship cultivates humility and devotion, while contempt for Śiva leads to spiritual downfall.
Practice humility and daily Śiva-smaraṇa with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and avoid śiva-nindā; traditional Shaiva discipline may include Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender to Śiva.