Shloka 22
महापातकवर्णनम् (Mahāpātaka-varṇanam) — “Description of Great Sins and Their Consequences”
एतानि खलु सर्वाणि कर्माणि मुनिसत्तम । सुमहत्पातकान्याहुश्शिवनिन्दासमानि च
etāni khalu sarvāṇi karmāṇi munisattama | sumahatpātakānyāhuśśivanindāsamāni ca
Ôi bậc hiền thánh tối thượng, tất cả những hành vi ấy quả thật được tuyên là những trọng tội vô cùng, và được nói là ngang với việc phỉ báng Đức Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse warns that certain deeds become “mahāpātaka” because they culminate in Śiva-nindā (slandering Śiva). In Shaiva devotion, inner purity is protected primarily through right speech and reverence toward Pati (Śiva), since contempt for the Lord hardens the pashu-bound ego and blocks grace.
Liṅga-worship is grounded in śraddhā and mānasa-śauca (mental purity). This verse implies that even outward ritual loses its sanctity if one harbors or spreads Śiva-nindā; honoring Saguna Śiva through the Liṅga requires honoring His name, forms, devotees, and teachings without contempt.
The practical takeaway is to adopt “vāg-yama” (discipline of speech) alongside japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and to maintain devotional conduct (bhakti-ācāra) that avoids criticism of Śiva, His worship, and His devotees.