Shloka 16

यतिप्रायश्चित्तविधानम्

Ascetic Atonements and Discipline

Devanagari script

अहिंसा सर्वभूतानां कर्मणा मनसा गिरा अकामादपि हिंसेत यदि भिक्षुः पशून् कृमीन्

Transliteration

ahiṃsā sarvabhūtānāṃ karmaṇā manasā girā akāmādapi hiṃseta yadi bhikṣuḥ paśūn kṛmīn

Translation

A não-violência para com todos os seres—por ação, por mente e por palavra—é a regra; contudo, se um bhikṣu, mesmo sem desejo de ferir, causar dano a animais ou até a vermes, considera-se que violou esse voto. Para o paśu (alma vinculada) que busca a graça de Śiva, tal contenção é a porta para afrouxar o pāśa (cativeiro) e voltar-se para Pati (o Senhor).

Word by Word

• अहिंसा: non-violence

• सर्वभूतानाम्: of all beings

• कर्मणा: by action/deed

• मनसा: by mind/thought

• गिरा: by speech/word

• अकामात् अपि: even without desire (to harm)

• हिंसेत: would injure/kill

• यदि: if

• भिक्षुः: a mendicant/renunciate

• पशून्: animals/creatures

• कृमीन्: worms/insects

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Purāṇic dharma-teaching within the Linga Purana discourse)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes ethical purity as the foundation of Śiva-pūjā: worship of the Liṅga is not merely ritual, but requires ahiṃsā in body, speech, and mind so the worshipper becomes fit for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By centering ahiṃsā as a prerequisite, it implies Śiva as Pati—the liberating Lord—who is approached through compassion and self-restraint that reduce pāśa (bondage) binding the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The yogic discipline of tri-karaṇa-śuddhi (purity in thought, word, and deed) is highlighted, a core prerequisite for Pāśupata-oriented practice and for any effective Liṅga-pūjā and japa.