नरकनामनिर्णयः
Catalogue of Narakas and Karmic Causes
साध्व्या विक्रयकृच्चाथ वार्द्धकी केशविक्रयी । तप्तलोहेषु पच्यंते यश्च भक्तं परित्यजेत्
sādhvyā vikrayakṛccātha vārddhakī keśavikrayī | taptaloheṣu pacyaṃte yaśca bhaktaṃ parityajet
Ang babaeng nabubuhay sa pagbebenta ng sarili, ang patutot, ang nagbebenta ng buhok, at sinumang tumatalikod sa isang deboto—sila’y sinasabing niluluto sa nagbabagang pulang bakal.
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
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.