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

以一切众生如同自我之真我而行其利乐——唯此被宣说为阿希ṃ萨（不害）。正是此不害，成就自我之智，导引受缚之灵魂（paśu）趋向主宰（Pati）。

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.