Shloka 4

Devanagari script

मुनिभिश् च महाभागैर् अनुष्ठितमनुत्तमम् व्रतं द्वादशलिङ्गाख्यं पशुपाशविमोक्षणम्

Transliteration

munibhiś ca mahābhāgair anuṣṭhitamanuttamam vrataṃ dvādaśaliṅgākhyaṃ paśupāśavimokṣaṇam

Translation

This unsurpassed observance—performed by the greatly blessed sages—is called the “Twelve-Liṅga Vrata”; by the grace of Paśupati (Śiva), it is a means for releasing the paśu from pāśa, the bonds.

Word by Word

• मुनिभिः (munibhiḥ): by sages

• च (ca): and

• महाभागैः (mahābhāgaiḥ): by the greatly fortunate/noble ones

• अनुष्ठितम् (anuṣṭhitam): performed/undertaken

• अनुत्तमम् (anuttamam): unsurpassed, supreme

• व्रतम् (vratam): vow, sacred observance

• द्वादश-लिङ्ग-आख्यम् (dvādaśa-liṅgākhyam): named/known as ‘twelve liṅgas’

• पशु (paśu): the individual soul bound in saṃsāra

• पाश (pāśa): bondage, fetter (karmic and impurity-based bonds)

• विमोक्षणम् (vimokṣaṇam): release, liberation

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Sages (Munis)

FAQs

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

It frames twelve-liṅga worship as a supreme vrata validated by accomplished sages, emphasizing liṅga-pūjā not merely as merit-making but as a disciplined path aimed at freeing the soul (paśu) from bondage (pāśa) through Śiva as Paśupati.

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

By implying Śiva as Paśupati—the Lord of souls—who alone can sever pāśa, the verse aligns with Shaiva Siddhānta’s Pati–Paśu–Pāśa triad: Śiva (Pati) is the liberating principle, distinct from the bound soul yet graciously accessible through vrata and worship.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vrata centered on the “twelve liṅgas” is highlighted—an observance combining regulated worship, purity, and devotion, functioning as a Pāśupata-oriented discipline directed toward pāśa-vimocana (release from bondage).