Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
रुद्र-विष्णोः ऐकत्व-उपदेशः तथा धर्म-आज्ञा
Instruction on Rudra–Viṣṇu Unity and Divine Injunctions
रुद्रभक्तो नरो यस्तु तव निंदां करिष्यति । तस्य पुण्यं च निखिलं द्रुतं भस्म भविष्यति
rudrabhakto naro yastu tava niṃdāṃ kariṣyati | tasya puṇyaṃ ca nikhilaṃ drutaṃ bhasma bhaviṣyati
แต่หากมนุษย์ผู้เป็นภักตะแห่งพระรุทระไปกล่าวร้ายท่าน บุญกุศลที่สั่งสมทั้งหมดของเขาจะมลายเป็นเถ้าธุลีโดยเร็ว
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It teaches that devotion is not merely external worship; if a Rudra-bhakta engages in nindā (slander), his puṇya is destroyed, showing that purity of speech and reverence are essential for receiving Śiva’s grace.
Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship is grounded in bhakti, śraddhā, and right conduct; this verse warns that disrespectful speech (nindā) contradicts true Śiva-upāsanā and undermines the spiritual fruits of such worship.
Practice vāṅ-niyama (discipline of speech) alongside Śiva-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and adopt a repentant, purifying routine such as applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra) with mindful devotion to avoid aparādha.