Shloka 57
Sadācāra–Varṇa-lakṣaṇa and Prātaḥkṛtya
Right Conduct, Social Typologies, and Morning Purification
अधर्मो हिंसिकारूपो धर्मस्तु सुखरूपकः । अधर्माद्दुःखमाप्नोति धर्माद्वै सुखमेधते
adharmo hiṃsikārūpo dharmastu sukharūpakaḥ | adharmādduḥkhamāpnoti dharmādvai sukhamedhate
Adharma is of the nature of injury and cruelty, whereas dharma is of the nature of well-being and joy. From adharma one surely attains suffering; from dharma, happiness truly increases and prospers.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva Purāṇa teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Not site-specific; defines adharma as hiṃsā and dharma as sukha, mapping moral quality to experiential fruit.
Significance: Supports ahiṃsā and dharmic living as preparatory purification (caryā) for Śiva-bhakti and eventual grace.
FAQs
It states a Shaiva ethical law of karma: harm-born conduct (adharma) ripens as suffering, while dharma—aligned with Śiva’s order and compassion—ripens as increasing well-being and inner peace.
Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it requires dharmic living. Approaching Saguna Śiva through the Linga with ahimsa and right conduct purifies the devotee, making worship fruitful rather than merely external.
Adopt ahimsa as a daily vrata, and support it with Śiva-japa (especially the pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a discipline that restrains harmful impulses and strengthens dharmic intention.