Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 68
भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन वृथा दानं वृथा तपः । वृथा यज्ञो वृथा होमः शिवनिन्दारतस्य तु
bahunātra kimuktena vṛthā dānaṃ vṛthā tapaḥ | vṛthā yajño vṛthā homaḥ śivanindāratasya tu
इथे अधिक काय सांगावे? जो शिवनिंदेत रत आहे, त्याच्यासाठी दान व्यर्थ, तप व्यर्थ; यज्ञ व्यर्थ आणि होमही व्यर्थ आहे.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: General warning: śiva-nindā is a grave aparādha that blocks the efficacy (phala) of dāna, tapaḥ, yajña, homa—i.e., pāśa tightens through hostility to Pati.
Significance: Functions as a pilgrimage ethic: do not malign Śiva or Śaiva symbols at tīrthas; otherwise even major observances become niṣphala.
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
The verse teaches that inner attitude determines spiritual fruit: hostility and slander toward Pati (Shiva) blocks the merit of outward dharmic acts like charity, austerity, and sacrifice, because the heart is turned away from grace (anugraha).
Linga/Saguna worship is grounded in reverence and devotion; if one is engaged in Shiva-ninda, even technically correct puja, yajna, or homa lacks the qualifying bhava, so the practice becomes spiritually barren rather than a means to Shiva’s favor.
Avoid Shiva-ninda and cultivate Shiva-bhakti through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and respectful worship; let external rites (homa, dana, vrata) be supported by humility and devotion.