Shloka 61
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
शिवद्र व्यापहरणं शिवनिंदा च कुत्रचित् । निंदा च शिवभक्तानां प्रायश्चित्तैर्न शुद्ध्यति
śivadra vyāpaharaṇaṃ śivaniṃdā ca kutracit | niṃdā ca śivabhaktānāṃ prāyaścittairna śuddhyati
Кража того, что принадлежит Шиве, поношение Шивы каким бы то ни было образом и поношение преданных Шивы — такие проступки не очищаются одними лишь обычными искуплениями.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the teaching on offenses against Śiva and His devotees to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: As Viśvanātha of Kāśī, Śiva is upheld as the supreme Lord whose kṣetra is guarded by dharma; offenses like śiva-nindā and śiva-dravya-apahāra are treated as grave impediments to kṣetra-phala and bhakti, not removable by routine prāyaścitta alone.
Significance: Protects bhakti by warning against aparādha; emphasizes that reverence to Śiva and His bhaktas is foundational for receiving anugraha in Kāśī and elsewhere.
FAQs
It teaches that offenses against Śiva and especially against Śiva’s devotees are spiritually corrosive; such aparādhas obstruct grace (anugraha) and are not removed by routine penances unless one abandons the offense and seeks Śiva’s mercy with sincere humility.
Liṅga-worship is grounded in sanctity and reverence: offerings and temple articles are considered Śiva-dravya, and disrespect toward Śiva or His bhaktas undermines the very attitude (bhāva) required for effective Saguna worship and the reception of Śiva’s grace.
The practical takeaway is to protect Śiva’s offerings, avoid criticism, and cultivate devotion through japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with a repentant mind, along with respectful service (sevā) to Śiva’s devotees.