Shloka 6

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

हिंसा सदा गृहस्थानां तस्माद्धिंसां विवर्जयेत् अहिंसेयं परो धर्मः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां द्विजाः

Transliteration

hiṃsā sadā gṛhasthānāṃ tasmāddhiṃsāṃ vivarjayet ahiṃseyaṃ paro dharmaḥ sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ dvijāḥ

Translation

Violence tends to arise continually in the life of householders; therefore one should abandon violence. Non-violence is indeed the highest dharma for all living beings, O twice-born—by it the bound soul (paśu) loosens the fetters (pāśa) and becomes fit for the grace of the Lord (Pati), Śiva.

Word by Word

• hiṃsā: violence

• sadā: always/continually

• gṛhasthānām: of householders

• tasmāt: therefore

• hiṃsām: violence

• vivarjayet: should avoid/renounce

• ahiṃsā: non-violence

• iyam: this

• paraḥ: supreme/highest

• dharmaḥ: righteous law/duty

• sarveṣām: of all

• prāṇinām: living beings

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (Brāhmaṇa/Kṣatriya/Vaiśya)

Speaker

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

FAQs

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

It establishes ahiṃsā as the supreme ethical foundation for a gṛhastha; without non-violence, Linga-pūjā lacks the inner purity required for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

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

By implying that the Pati (Śiva) is approached through the highest dharma—ahiṃsā—this verse aligns Shiva-tattva with compassion, purity, and the power to release the paśu from pāśa through grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights ethical restraint (yama), especially ahiṃsā, as a prerequisite for Shaiva sādhanā—supporting Pāśupata-oriented discipline and purity for effective pūjā and mantra-japa.