क्रियते यस्य कस्यापि देहिनो यदि निग्रहः । अष्टमूर्त्तेरनिष्टं तत्कृतमेव न संशयः
kriyate yasya kasyāpi dehino yadi nigrahaḥ | aṣṭamūrtteraniṣṭaṃ tatkṛtameva na saṃśayaḥ
If restraint or harm is inflicted upon any embodied being whatsoever, know without doubt that such an undesirable act is done against the Eight-Formed Lord, Aṣṭamūrti Śiva, Himself.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Ethical corollary of Aṣṭamūrti doctrine: ahiṃsā and non-coercion toward embodied beings becomes Śiva-sevā; harming beings is tantamount to offending Śiva’s cosmic body.
Role: teaching
The verse teaches a Shaiva Siddhanta-aligned ethic: since Shiva pervades creation as Aṣṭamūrti, harming any embodied being becomes an offense against Shiva’s immanent presence, obstructing purity of conduct and devotion.
Linga worship trains the devotee to recognize Shiva as the inner reality of all forms; this verse extends that insight into daily life—reverence to Saguna Shiva includes non-violence and restraint toward living beings as part of Shiva-sevā.
Practice ahimsa as a vow alongside japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and mentally offer every act of restraint, kindness, and protection of beings as worship to Shiva (bhāva-pūjā), especially on Mahāśivarātri.