Shloka 49

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

व्रतं पाशुपतं प्रोक्तं भवेन परमेष्ठिना व्रतेनानेन भूतेश पशुत्वं नैव विद्यते

Transliteration

vrataṃ pāśupataṃ proktaṃ bhavena parameṣṭhinā vratenānena bhūteśa paśutvaṃ naiva vidyate

Translation

“The Pāśupata vow was proclaimed by Bhava, the Supreme Lord. By undertaking this very vow, O Lord of beings, the state of ‘paśutva’—the soul’s condition as a bound creature—no longer remains.”}]}

Word by Word

• व्रतम् (vratam): sacred vow/observance

• पाशुपतम् (pāśupatam): belonging to Paśupati, the Pāśupata discipline

• प्रोक्तम् (proktam): declared/taught

• भवेन (bhavena): by Bhava (Śiva)

• परमेष्ठिना (parameṣṭhinā): by the Supreme Lord (the Highest Ruler)

• व्रतेन अनेन (vratena anena): by this vow/observance

• भूतेश (bhūteśa): O Lord of beings (epithet of Śiva)

• पशुत्वम् (paśutvam): the state of being a paśu (bound soul/creatureliness)

• नैव (naiva): not at all/never

• विद्यते (vidyate): is found/remains

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s doctrine as preserved in the Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Bhava/Parameṣṭhin/Bhūteśa)
• Paśupati

FAQs

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

It frames Linga-centered Shaiva observance as a transformative Pāśupata discipline: devotion to Paśupati is not merely ritual merit, but a means to end paśutva—the bound condition of the soul.

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

Shiva is presented as Bhava/Parameṣṭhin—the supreme Pati who reveals the liberating vow; as Bhūteśa, he rules beings and has the power to dissolve the soul’s bonded identity.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights the Pāśupata-vrata (Pāśupata discipline), a Shaiva observance aligned with Pashupata Yoga whose aim is the removal of paśutva through steadfast devotion and regulated practice.