Shloka 10
साध्व्या विक्रयकृच्चाथ वार्द्धकी केशविक्रयी । तप्तलोहेषु पच्यंते यश्च भक्तं परित्यजेत्
sādhvyā vikrayakṛccātha vārddhakī keśavikrayī | taptaloheṣu pacyaṃte yaśca bhaktaṃ parityajet
A mulher que vive de vender-se, a que pratica a prostituição, a que vende cabelos, e também quem abandona um devoto—diz-se que tais pessoas são cozidas em ferro em brasa, rubro de calor.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages, within the Uma Samhita’s ethical-philosophical teaching context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it warns against social/ethical degradations and, notably, ‘bhakta-parityāga’ (abandoning a Śiva-bhakta), treating it as a serious offense that deepens bondage.
Significance: Affirms satsanga as a Śaiva virtue: honoring devotees is a pathway toward anugraha; rejecting them is a cause of spiritual fall.
FAQs
It warns against bhakta-aparādha (offense to devotees): forsaking or harming a true Śiva-bhakta is treated as a grave karmic fault, bringing intense suffering and obstructing the soul’s progress toward Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva practice, reverence for the Liṅga is inseparable from reverence for Śiva’s devotees; honoring bhaktas is honoring Saguna Śiva’s living presence, while rejecting them contradicts authentic Liṅga-bhakti.
The practical takeaway is to maintain bhakti with ethical purity: serve and respect Śiva-bhaktas, avoid bhakta-aparādha, and steady one’s devotion through japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") alongside disciplined conduct.