ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)
मोक्षहेतुस् तथा ज्ञानं मुक्तः स्वात्मन्यवस्थितः अज्ञाने सति विप्रेन्द्राः क्रोधाद्या नात्र संशयः
mokṣahetus tathā jñānaṃ muktaḥ svātmanyavasthitaḥ ajñāne sati viprendrāḥ krodhādyā nātra saṃśayaḥ
Knowledge (jñāna) is indeed the direct cause of liberation (mokṣa). The liberated one abides firmly established in his own Self. But when avidyā persists, O foremost of Brahmins, anger and the other afflictive impulses arise—of this there is no doubt.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya; teaching framed as Shaiva moksha-doctrine)
It clarifies that external Linga-puja must culminate in jñāna—inner realization—because liberation is caused by knowledge, while ignorance sustains passions like anger that obstruct true worship.
By emphasizing Self-abidance as the mark of liberation, it aligns with Shiva-tattva as Pati—the supreme consciousness—realized when the pashu (soul) is freed from pasha (bondage) rooted in ajñāna.
It points to the yogic discipline central to Pashupata practice: removing ajñāna through jñāna and steadiness in the Self, thereby pacifying krodha and related impulses that bind the pashu.