Shloka 49
Jaṭilāvatāra-Parīkṣā: Pārvatyāḥ Tapasāṃ Parīkṣaṇam
The Jaṭilā Episode and the Testing of Pārvatī’s Austerity
न केवलं भवेत्पापं निन्दाकर्तुः शिवस्य हि । यो वै शृणोति तन्निन्दां पापभाक्स भवेदिह
na kevalaṃ bhavetpāpaṃ nindākartuḥ śivasya hi | yo vai śṛṇoti tannindāṃ pāpabhāksa bhavediha
Sesungguhnya, dosa bukan hanya pada orang yang mencela Śiva; sesiapa yang sekadar mendengar celaan itu pun menjadi penanggung bahagian dosa tersebut dalam kehidupan ini.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s teaching on avoiding Shiva-ninda to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Defines a social-ethical boundary for pilgrims and devotees: even passive hearing of Śiva-nindā is spiritually contaminating; hence one should leave such company/space to preserve bhakti and merit.
FAQs
The verse teaches that spiritual downfall is not only caused by committing Shiva-ninda, but also by consenting through passive hearing; Shaiva devotion requires guarding speech and the mind by refusing to entertain contempt toward Pati (Śiva).
Linga/Saguṇa worship is sustained by śraddhā (reverent faith). Listening to blasphemy erodes that reverence and becomes an apacāra against the very object of worship; thus the devotee should protect the sanctity of Shiva-nāma, Linga, and Shiva-bhakti by avoiding such company and conversations.
Practice verbal and auditory purity: leave places where Shiva is criticized, mentally repeat the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and re-center in bhakti; if appropriate, respectfully stop the speech and dedicate the mind to Shiva-nāma japa.