Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
पाशुपतज्ञानप्रश्नः — Inquiry into Pāśupata Knowledge
Paśu–Pāśa–Paśupati
ऋषय ऊचुः । किं तत्पाशुपतं ज्ञानं कथं पशुपतिश्शिवः । कथं धौम्याग्रजः पृष्टः कृष्णेनाक्लिष्टकर्मणा
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | kiṃ tatpāśupataṃ jñānaṃ kathaṃ paśupatiśśivaḥ | kathaṃ dhaumyāgrajaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ kṛṣṇenākliṣṭakarmaṇā
Die ṛṣis sprachen: «Was ist in Wahrheit dieses Pāśupata-Wissen? Auf welche Weise ist Śiva Paśupati, der Herr der Wesen? Und wie wurde der ältere Bruder Dhaumyas darüber von Kṛṣṇa befragt, dessen Handeln unermüdlich und unbeschwert ist?»
The sages at Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Sūta)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: This is a doctrinal pivot into Pāśupata-jñāna (knowledge of Paśupati and the means to transcend pāśa). No specific shrine origin is narrated here.
Significance: Positions inquiry (praśna) as the first step of śravaṇa: understanding Paśupati-śiva and Pāśupata-jñāna is itself a merit-bearing gateway to liberation.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames the core Shaiva Siddhānta inquiry—what liberating knowledge (Pāśupata jñāna) is, and how Śiva as Paśupati relates to bound souls (paśu) and their bonds (pāśa), setting the stage for teachings on liberation.
By asking how Śiva is Paśupati, the verse points toward understanding the Lord as the gracious, knowable guide (Saguna Śiva) who is approached through worship—often centered on the Liṅga—while granting the higher knowledge that cuts bondage.
The verse itself is a question, but it implies seeking Pāśupata discipline—approaching Śiva with devotion and inquiry, supported by Shaiva practices such as mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative reflection on paśu–pāśa–pati.