Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
अन्यथा न हिनस्त्येव सदोषानप्यसौ परान् । हिनस्ति चायमप्यज्ञान्परं माध्यस्थ्यमाचरन्
anyathā na hinastyeva sadoṣānapyasau parān | hinasti cāyamapyajñānparaṃ mādhyasthyamācaran
अन्यथा तो तो कोणालाही—दोषी असला तरी—कधीही इजा केली नसती. पण अति-तटस्थतेचा आग्रह धरून तो निरपराध व अज्ञ लोकांनाही दुखावतो.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā discourse to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that dharma is not mere non-involvement; without discernment and compassionate responsibility, ‘neutrality’ can become a subtle form of harm, obstructing the soul’s purification on the path toward Shiva (Pati).
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not only ritual devotion but also inner alignment with Shiva’s qualities—clarity, compassion, and protection of dharma. Indifferent neutrality contradicts the devotee’s duty to uphold righteousness while remaining unattached.
Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with viveka-bhāvanā (discernment contemplation): before acting or staying silent, examine whether your ‘neutrality’ supports dharma; combine it with a brief daily prayer for the welfare of the innocent.