Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

उपलेपनादिकथनम्

Vastraputa-jala, Ahimsa, and Conduct in Shiva Worship

Devanagari script

ब्रह्महत्यासमं पापम् आत्रेयीं विनिहत्य च स्त्रियः सर्वा न हन्तव्याः पापकर्मरता अपि

Transliteration

brahmahatyāsamaṃ pāpam ātreyīṃ vinihatya ca striyaḥ sarvā na hantavyāḥ pāpakarmaratā api

Translation

Ang kasalanang natamo sa pagpatay sa isang babaeng Ātreyī ay katumbas ng kasalanan ng brahma-hatyā (pagpatay ng isang brāhmaṇa). Samakatuwid, ang mga kababaihan ay hindi dapat patayin—kahit na sila ay gumagawa ng mga makasalanang gawain.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्महत्या-समम्: equal to brahmahatyā

• पापम्: sin

• आत्रेयीम्: an Ātreyī woman (of the lineage of Atri / a venerable woman)

• विनिहत्य: having slain/killed

• च: and

• स्त्रियः: women

• सर्वाः: all

• न: not

• हन्तव्याः: to be killed/fit to be slain

• पापकर्म-रताः: devoted/engaged in sinful deeds

• अपि: even

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-bhakti as inseparable from dharma: the devotee purifies pasha (bondage) through ahimsā and self-restraint, making worship of Pati (Shiva) spiritually effective.

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

By emphasizing the grave karmic weight of violence, it implies Shiva-tattva as the pure Pati beyond pasha; approaching Him requires inner purification rather than cruelty or retaliatory harm.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ethical discipline (yama-like restraint), especially ahimsā, as a prerequisite for Shaiva sādhanā—supporting Pashupata-style purification alongside puja and prayaschitta.