Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
अनादानं परस्वानाम् आपद्यपि विचारतः मनसा कर्मणा वाचा तदस्तेयं समासतः
anādānaṃ parasvānām āpadyapi vicārataḥ manasā karmaṇā vācā tadasteyaṃ samāsataḥ
การไม่หยิบเอาทรัพย์ของผู้อื่น แม้ยามคับขัน โดยพิจารณาให้รอบคอบ—ทั้งด้วยใจ การกระทำ และวาจา—โดยสรุปนี้คือ อัสเตยะ (ไม่ลักขโมย)।
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It defines asteya as a core Shaiva ethical restraint—purifying mind, speech, and action—so the devotee becomes fit for linga-puja and for receiving Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
By implying Shiva as Pati (the Lord) who liberates the pashu (soul) from pasha (bondage): asteya weakens possessiveness and harm, making the inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa) receptive to Shiva’s purifying presence.
Aste ya as a yama-like discipline aligned with Pashupata Yoga—practiced as tri-karana-śuddhi (purity in thought, word, and deed), supporting steadiness in japa, dhyana, and Shiva-puja.