Adhyaya 33: Pashupata Conduct, Bhasma-Vrata, and Shiva’s Boon to the Sages
न हसेन्नाप्रियं ब्रूयाद् अमुत्रेह हितार्थवान् यस्तान्निन्दति मूढात्मा महादेवं स निन्दति
na hasennāpriyaṃ brūyād amutreha hitārthavān yastānnindati mūḍhātmā mahādevaṃ sa nindati
جو اس دنیا اور اُس دنیا کی بھلائی چاہتا ہے وہ نہ تمسخر کرے، نہ سخت و ناپسندیدہ بات کہے۔ جو گمراہ دل ان (شیو بھکت/ورت دھاریوں) کی مذمت کرتا ہے، وہ دراصل مہادیو ہی کی مذمت کرتا ہے۔
Suta Goswami (narrating dharma-teachings within the Linga Purana discourse)
It sets a core rule of Śaiva pūjā: purity of speech and non-mockery. In Linga-worship, disrespect toward Śiva’s devotees and dharma is treated as direct offense to Mahādeva, obstructing puṇya and spiritual progress.
It implies Śiva’s immanence as Pati: He is intimately connected with His bhaktas and the Śaiva path. To attack them is to attack Śiva-tattva itself, since the Lord upholds and pervades the means of liberation.
Sadācāra as a prerequisite for Śiva-sādhana: disciplined speech (vāg-yama) and avoidance of nindā/aparādha. This ethical restraint supports Pāśupata-style practice by reducing pāśa (bondage) formed through harmful actions and words.