Shloka 43
Pārthiva-Śiva-liṅga Saṃkhyā-vidhāna
Enumeration and Procedure of Earthen Liṅga Worship
दधीचिगौतमादीनां शापेनादग्धचेतसाम् । द्विजानां जायते श्रद्धानैव वैदिककर्मणि
dadhīcigautamādīnāṃ śāpenādagdhacetasām | dvijānāṃ jāyate śraddhānaiva vaidikakarmaṇi
至于那些两次出生者，其心识被达提奇、瞿昙等人的诅咒所灼烧者，对吠陀的仪轨与本分全然不生信心。
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Explains a decline of śraddhā in Vedic karma among some dvijas due to sages’ curses (Dadhīci, Gautama, etc.). The ‘scorched mind’ motif frames loss of faith as a bondage/obscuration condition rather than mere choice.
Significance: Warns that adhikāra alone is insufficient; inner śraddhā is required. Encourages turning to Śiva with repentance and appropriate worship when Vedic confidence is impaired.
FAQs
It warns that when the mind is inwardly “burned” by sin, offense, or the effects of a sage’s curse, spiritual receptivity collapses—so even orthodox Vedic duties become barren. From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, purification and right disposition (śuddhi and śraddhā) are prerequisites for karma to become supportive of grace and liberation.
When faith in external rites fails, the Shiva Purana repeatedly redirects the seeker to steady devotion to Saguna Shiva—especially Linga-worship—because it reforms the heart, restores śraddhā, and reorients action toward Pati (Shiva) rather than mere ritual performance.
The practical takeaway is to rebuild śraddhā through Shaiva disciplines: japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-pūjā with humility, and purificatory observances such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, undertaken with repentance and ethical restraint.