Shloka 17

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

न हन्तव्याः सदा पूज्याः पापकर्मरता अपि पवित्रास्तु स्त्रियः सर्वा अत्रेश् च कुलसंभवाः

Transliteration

na hantavyāḥ sadā pūjyāḥ pāpakarmaratā api pavitrāstu striyaḥ sarvā atreś ca kulasaṃbhavāḥ

Translation

Ang mga babae ay hindi kailanman dapat patayin; sila’y dapat laging parangalan—kahit pa sila’y nasasangkot sa mga gawang makasalanan. Tunay nga, ang lahat ng babae ay dapat ituring na dalisay dito, sapagkat sila’y isinilang mula sa angkan ni Atri.

Word by Word

• na: not

• hantavyāḥ: to be killed/should be slain

• sadā: always

• pūjyāḥ: worthy of worship/honor

• pāpa: sinful

• karma: actions

• ratāḥ: engaged/attached

• api: even

• pavitrāḥ: pure/sanctified

• tu: indeed/and

• striyaḥ: women

• sarvāḥ: all

• atreḥ: of Atri

• ca: and

• kula: lineage/family

• sambhavāḥ: born/originating

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Atri

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-bhakti as inseparable from dharmic restraint: honoring the feminine and practicing non-violence purify the pashu (individual soul) and reduce pasha (bondage), making worship fit to approach Pati (Shiva).

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

By mandating honor and non-harm, the verse reflects Shiva-tattva as auspiciousness (śivam) expressed through compassion and reverence—devotion is validated by ethical conduct, not merely ritual.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights yama-like foundations (ahiṃsā, reverence, self-restraint) that support Pashupata-oriented discipline; without these, puja and mantra-japa lack the inner purity expected in Shaiva sādhanā.