Shloka 19
Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)
उपकारं परित्यज्य ह्यपकारं समीहसे । नैतद्युक्तं त्वयाद्यैव क्रियते त्यज चापलम्
upakāraṃ parityajya hyapakāraṃ samīhase | naitadyuktaṃ tvayādyaiva kriyate tyaja cāpalam
ഉപകാരം ഉപേക്ഷിച്ച് നീ അപകാരം ചെയ്യാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നു. ഇത് നിനക്കു യോജിച്ചതല്ല—ഇപ്പോൾ തന്നേ ഈ ചപലവും അവിവേകവുമായ പെരുമാറ്റം ഉപേക്ഷിക്കൂ.
Lord Shiva (instructing/admonishing within the narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that turning from upakāra (benefit) to apakāra (harm) is adharma and increases bondage (pāśa). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, compassion and self-restraint purify the pashu (individual soul) so it can receive Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
Linga-worship is not merely ritual; it is inner alignment with Shiva’s qualities—śānti (peace), dayā (compassion), and dharma. This verse emphasizes that devotion to Saguna Shiva must express itself as non-harm and steadiness, not impulsive wrongdoing.
The practical takeaway is restraint (saṃyama): pause before action, renounce harmful intent, and stabilize the mind through japa of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to drop cāpalam (rashness) and return to dharmic conduct.