Shloka 18

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापम् आत्रेयीं विनिहत्य च स्त्रियः सर्वा न हन्तव्याः पापकर्मरता अपि

Transliteration

brahmahatyāsamaṃ pāpam ātreyīṃ vinihatya ca striyaḥ sarvā na hantavyāḥ pāpakarmaratā api

Translation

Die Sünde, die durch das Töten einer Ātreyī-Frau begangen wird, ist gleich der Sünde von Brahma-hatyā (Töten eines Brahmanen). Daher sollten Frauen nicht getötet werden – selbst wenn sie sündhafte Taten begehen.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या-समम्: equal to brahmahatyā

• पापम्: sin

• आत्रेयीम्: an Ātreyī woman (of the lineage of Atri / a venerable woman)

• विनिहत्य: having slain/killed

• च: and

• स्त्रियः: women

• सर्वाः: all

• न: not

• हन्तव्याः: to be killed/fit to be slain

• पापकर्म-रताः: devoted/engaged in sinful deeds

• अपि: even

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating dharma teachings within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Linga-bhakti as inseparable from dharma: the devotee purifies pasha (bondage) through ahimsā and self-restraint, making worship of Pati (Shiva) spiritually effective.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By emphasizing the grave karmic weight of violence, it implies Shiva-tattva as the pure Pati beyond pasha; approaching Him requires inner purification rather than cruelty or retaliatory harm.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ethical discipline (yama-like restraint), especially ahimsā, as a prerequisite for Shaiva sādhanā—supporting Pashupata-style purification alongside puja and prayaschitta.