गिरिजातपः-परीक्षा तथा सप्तर्षि-आह्वानम्
Girijā’s Austerity-Test and the Summoning of the Seven Sages
नारदः कूटवादी च परचित्तप्रमंथकः । तस्य वार्त्ताश्रवणतो हानिर्भवति सर्वथा
nāradaḥ kūṭavādī ca paracittapramaṃthakaḥ | tasya vārttāśravaṇato hānirbhavati sarvathā
நாரதர் வஞ்சகச் சொற்கள் பேசுபவர்; பிறர் மனங்களை கலக்குபவர். அவருடைய பேச்சைச் செவிமடுத்தாலே எல்லாவிதத்திலும் தீங்கு நிச்சயம் உண்டாகும்.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
It warns that spiritual decline can begin simply through śravaṇa—listening to disruptive, deceitful talk—which agitates the mind and strengthens bondage (pāśa). Shaiva practice emphasizes guarding speech and association so devotion to Śiva remains steady.
Linga-worship and Saguna Śiva-bhakti require inner purity, steadiness, and reverent attention. Hearing mind-stirring talk scatters awareness and weakens the devotional focus needed for mantra, pūjā, and dhyāna directed to Śiva.
Choose satsanga and replace harmful listening with auspicious śravaṇa—reciting or hearing the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Śiva-kathā. As a practical takeaway, keep japa during idle talk times to prevent mental agitation.