Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
देवगुरुप्रेषणम्
Himālaya Mission of the Gods’ Preceptor / The Gods Send Their Guru
ब्रह्मोवाच । नाहं कर्तुं क्षमो वत्साः शिवनिन्दां सुदुस्सहाम् । संपद्विनाश रूपाञ्च विपदां बीजरूपिणीम्
brahmovāca | nāhaṃ kartuṃ kṣamo vatsāḥ śivanindāṃ sudussahām | saṃpadvināśa rūpāñca vipadāṃ bījarūpiṇīm
梵天说道：“亲爱的孩子们，我不能说出那难以承受的对湿婆的亵渎之言——那亵渎化作福祉的毁灭，并成为诸般灾厄的种子。”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a specific liṅga-site; Brahmā’s refusal to engage in Śiva-nindā functions as dharma-śikṣā: speech against Śiva is itself a causal ‘seed’ (bīja) of vipad (calamity).
Significance: General: cultivating reverent speech and avoiding aparādha is presented as a prerequisite for auspiciousness (saṃpatti) and for receiving Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva-nindā (disparaging Śiva) is a grave aparādha: it destroys spiritual merit and worldly well-being, and it plants the karmic “seed” for future suffering—therefore a seeker should guard speech and cultivate reverence (bhakti) toward Pati, the Supreme Lord.
Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship is grounded in śraddhā and honor toward Śiva’s presence; this verse warns that contempt or ridicule toward Śiva (including His symbols like the Liṅga, vibhūti, and Rudrākṣa) reverses the fruits of worship and becomes an obstacle to grace (anugraha).
The practical takeaway is restraint of speech and daily bhakti: recite the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offer respectful pūjā to the Liṅga, and avoid aparādhas—especially on sacred observances like Mahāśivarātri.