Adhyaya 8: Yogasthanas, Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama-Siddhi, and Shiva-Dhyana leading to Samadhi
तपस्युपरमश्चैव यम इत्यभिधीयते अहिंसा प्रथमो हेतुर् यमस्य यमिनां वराः
tapasyuparamaścaiva yama ityabhidhīyate ahiṃsā prathamo hetur yamasya yamināṃ varāḥ
Ang Yama (pagpipigil) ay tinatawag na pinakadulo ng tapas; at sa mga disiplina ng pagpipigil, O pinakamainam sa mga mapagpigil-sa-sarili, ang ahiṃsā (di-karahasan) ang pangunahing sanhi at saligan.
Suta Goswami
It establishes that true Shiva-bhakti and Linga-puja are grounded in inner restraint (yama), with ahiṃsā as the primary support; worship without non-violence does not mature into purifying tapas.
By prioritizing ahiṃsā as the root of discipline, the verse aligns Shiva-tattva with the role of Pati who uplifts the paśu through purity and self-mastery, loosening pāśa (bondage) via ethical transformation.
The yogic foundation of yama in Pashupata-oriented practice is highlighted—especially ahiṃsā as the first discipline that stabilizes tapas and makes mantra-japa and Linga-puja spiritually effective.