Shloka 16
साधुवेषद्विजाह्वयावतारकथनम् | Account of the ‘Sādhu-veṣa’ Brahmin-Named Incarnation
Prelude
स गच्छेदथ शैलेशमात्मनिन्दां करोतु वै । परनिन्दा विनाशाय स्वनिन्दा यशसे मता
sa gacchedatha śaileśamātmanindāṃ karotu vai | paranindā vināśāya svanindā yaśase matā
Kemudian hendaklah dia pergi kepada Śaileśa (Śiva, Tuhan gunung) dan benar-benar mengamalkan muhasabah diri. Mencela orang lain membawa kepada kebinasaan, sedangkan menegur diri sendiri dianggap sebagai sebab kemuliaan dan nama baik yang sejati.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: The ethical teaching—avoid para-nindā and cultivate humility—functions as a ‘tīrtha of conduct’ (ācāra), a prerequisite for fruitful darśana and grace in any Śiva-kṣetra.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that ego-driven speech—especially blaming others—strengthens bondage (pāśa) and leads to spiritual decline, while honest self-examination purifies the heart and supports devotion to Pati (Śiva).
Approaching Śaileśa (Saguna Śiva) implies taking refuge in Śiva with humility; Linga-worship is meant to dissolve pride and cultivate inner purity, so the devotee restrains fault-finding and turns inward for correction.
Practice daily self-review before Śiva—confess faults mentally, resolve to avoid harsh speech, and repeat the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a vow of non-slander (apar-nindā).