Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

आत्मवत् सर्वभूतानां हितायैव प्रवर्तनम् अहिंसैषा समाख्याता या चात्मज्ञानसिद्धिदा

Transliteration

ātmavat sarvabhūtānāṃ hitāyaiva pravartanam ahiṃsaiṣā samākhyātā yā cātmajñānasiddhidā

Translation

تمام جانداروں کو اپنے ہی آتما کے مانند جان کر اُن کی بھلائی کے لیے عمل کرنا—اسی کو اہنسا کہا گیا ہے؛ یہی آتما-گیان کی سِدھی دے کر پشو کو پتی-شیو کی طرف لے جاتی ہے۔

Word by Word

• आत्मवत्: as oneself, with the sense of ‘as the Self’

• सर्वभूतानाम्: of all beings

• हिताय: for welfare, for benefit

• एव: indeed, alone

• प्रवर्तनम्: conduct, engagement in action

• अहिंसा: non-injury, non-harming

• एषा: this

• समाख्याता: is declared, is defined

• या: which

• च: and

• आत्मज्ञान: Self-knowledge

• सिद्धिदा: bestower of attainment, giver of realization

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines true ahiṃsā as Self-like regard for all beings; such inner purity is the ethical foundation that makes Linga-pūjā spiritually fruitful and capable of leading toward ātma-jñāna.

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

By implying the one Self present in all beings, it aligns with Shiva-tattva as the all-pervading Consciousness (Pati) realized when the paśu’s separative ignorance and cruelty are dissolved.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ahiṃsā as a core yama and Pāśupata-oriented discipline—compassionate conduct that weakens pāśa (bondage) and supports meditation leading to Self-realization.