Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा
तस्मान्न निन्द्याः पूज्याश्च विकृता मलिना अपि रूपान्विताश् च विप्रेन्द्राः सदा योगीन्द्रशङ्कया
tasmānna nindyāḥ pūjyāśca vikṛtā malinā api rūpānvitāś ca viprendrāḥ sadā yogīndraśaṅkayā
Portanto, os brâmanes eminentes jamais devem ser insultados; devem ser honrados—sejam deformados, impuros ou mesmo belos—sempre, por reverência e cauteloso temor diante do poder dos grandes iogues.
Suta Goswami
It frames Linga-Puja as inseparable from dharma: honoring Shiva’s devotees—especially yogins and Brahmana-elders—protects the worshipper from aparadha (offense) and aligns the pashu (soul) toward Pati (Shiva).
By implying the awesome potency of yogins (yogīndras), it reflects Shiva-tattva as Yogindra—whose spiritual power works through realized beings beyond outer appearance, reminding that the inner consciousness linked to Pati matters more than external form.
It highlights yogic discipline and the etiquette of approaching ascetics: maintain reverence, avoid ninda (censure), and honor realized practitioners—an essential supporting rule for Pashupata-oriented sadhana and Shiva-Puja.