Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 19
शिवतत्त्वे परापरभावविचारः
Inquiry into Śiva’s Principle and the Parā–Aparā Paradox
चिच्छेद बहुशो देवो ब्रह्मणः पञ्चमं शिरः । शिवनिन्दां प्रकुर्वंतं पुत्रेति कुमतेर्हठात्
ciccheda bahuśo devo brahmaṇaḥ pañcamaṃ śiraḥ | śivanindāṃ prakurvaṃtaṃ putreti kumaterhaṭhāt
تب دیو شِو نے برہما کا پانچواں سر بار بار کاٹ ڈالا، کیونکہ وہ کم عقل ہٹ سے شِو کی نِندا کرتا اور بےشرمی سے انہیں ‘بیٹا’ کہتا تھا۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is upheld as Śiva’s own seat where false pride and blasphemy are cut down; the motif of severing Brahmā’s head resonates with Bhairava/Kapāla narratives tied to Kāśī’s expiation and lordship.
Significance: Removes pāpa and grants jñāna-vairāgya; Kāśī is famed for liberation-bestowing grace under Viśvanātha’s protection.
Type: stotra
Role: destructive
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva (Pati), the supreme Lord, protects dharma by restraining ego and blasphemy; Śiva-nindā is a grave fault that binds the soul (paśu) with pasha (bondage) and blocks liberating knowledge.
The episode underscores reverence toward Saguna Śiva as the accessible form of the Supreme; honoring Śiva through Liṅga-worship cultivates humility and devotion, while contempt for Śiva leads to spiritual downfall.
Practice humility and daily Śiva-smaraṇa with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and avoid śiva-nindā; traditional Shaiva discipline may include Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender to Śiva.