Shloka 40

Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti

Devanagari script

मोक्ष्यन्ति ते न संदेहः पशुत्वात् सुरसत्तमाः नैष्ठिकं द्वादशाब्दं वा तदर्धं वर्षकत्रयम्

Transliteration

mokṣyanti te na saṃdehaḥ paśutvāt surasattamāḥ naiṣṭhikaṃ dvādaśābdaṃ vā tadardhaṃ varṣakatrayam

Translation

O best of the Devas, there is no doubt that they will attain liberation (mokṣa); for, though in the state of paśu—the bound soul—they gain release through steadfast observance of this vow, either for twelve years or for half of that, namely three years.

Word by Word

• मोक्ष्यन्ति (mokṣyanti): will be liberated

• ते (te): they

• न (na): not

• संदेहः (saṁdehaḥ): doubt

• पशुत्वात् (paśutvāt): due to the state of paśu-hood/bound-soul condition

• सुरसत्तमाः (surasattamāḥ): O best among the gods

• नैष्ठिकम् (naiṣṭhikam): steadfast, fixed, unwavering observance (vrata)

• द्वादशाब्दम् (dvādaśābdam): twelve years

• वा (vā): or

• तत्-अर्धम् (tad-ardham): half of that

• वर्षकत्रयम् (varṣa-katrayam): a triad of years (three years).

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching tradition within the Linga Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links moksha to disciplined, steadfast Shaiva observance (naiṣṭhika-vrata), implying that Linga-centered worship and Pashupata discipline remove pāśa (bondage) from the paśu under the grace of Pati (Shiva).

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

Shiva is implied as Pati—the liberating Lord—who can certainly grant release to bound souls; the certainty (“no doubt”) reflects Shiva-tattva as the decisive cause of moksha when approached through right observance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Naiṣṭhika (unwavering) vrata aligned with Pashupata Yoga—sustained practice over prescribed durations (twelve years or a shortened three-year discipline) aimed at cutting the bonds of paśutva.