Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
आत्मवत् सर्वभूतानां हितायैव प्रवर्तनम् अहिंसैषा समाख्याता या चात्मज्ञानसिद्धिदा
ātmavat sarvabhūtānāṃ hitāyaiva pravartanam ahiṃsaiṣā samākhyātā yā cātmajñānasiddhidā
Bertindak demi kesejahteraan semua makhluk dengan memandang mereka sebagai Diri sendiri—itulah ahiṃsā; ia menganugerahkan kesempurnaan pengetahuan-Atman dan menuntun paśu menuju Pati, Śiva.
Suta Goswami
It defines true ahiṃsā as Self-like regard for all beings; such inner purity is the ethical foundation that makes Linga-pūjā spiritually fruitful and capable of leading toward ātma-jñāna.
By implying the one Self present in all beings, it aligns with Shiva-tattva as the all-pervading Consciousness (Pati) realized when the paśu’s separative ignorance and cruelty are dissolved.
Ahiṃsā as a core yama and Pāśupata-oriented discipline—compassionate conduct that weakens pāśa (bondage) and supports meditation leading to Self-realization.