Shloka 20

Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi

Devanagari script

अहिंसाप्येवमेवैषा द्विजगुर्वग्निपूजने विधिना यादृशी हिंसा सा त्वहिंसा इति स्मृता

Transliteration

ahiṃsāpyevamevaiṣā dvijagurvagnipūjane vidhinā yādṛśī hiṃsā sā tvahiṃsā iti smṛtā

Translation

अहिंसाप्येवमेवैषा द्विजगुर्वग्निपूजने। विधिना यादृशी हिंसा सा त्वहिंसा इति स्मृता॥

Word by Word

• अहिंसा: non-violence

• अपि: even

• एवम् एव: just so/indeed thus

• एषा: this (practice)

• द्विज: the twice-born (Vedic initiates)

• गुरु: teacher/spiritual preceptor

• अग्नि: sacred fire

• पूजने: in worship

• विधिना: by rule/according to injunction

• यादृशी: of whatever kind/as is

• हिंसा: injury/violence

• सा: that

• तु: indeed/but

• अहिंसा: non-violence

• इति: thus

• स्मृता: is declared/remembered (in Smriti/tradition)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Guru
• Dvija

FAQs

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

It frames Shaiva worship as dharma-governed: actions done in prescribed puja—especially honoring Guru and Agni—are purificatory and not counted as adharmic himsa when they serve sacred duty and inner restraint.

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

By implying that dharmic action is measured by intention and injunction, it points to Pati (Shiva) as the supreme regulator of dharma: the soul (pashu) is purified when acts are aligned to scriptural order rather than egoic impulse.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Puja-vidhi centered on dvija, guru, and Agni—ritual discipline that supports Pashupata-style restraint (niyama) and the reduction of pasha (bondage) through regulated conduct.