Shloka 48

ध्यानयज्ञः, संसार-विष-निरूपणम्, पाशुपतयोगः, परा-अपरा विद्या, चतुर्वस्था-विचारः (अध्यायः ८६)

Devanagari script

पाशुपतव्रत अस् एस्चपे फ़्रोम् संसार तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन चरेत्पाशुपतव्रतम् भस्मशायी भवेन्नित्यं व्रते पाशुपते बुधः

Transliteration

pāśupatavrata as escape from saṃsāra tasmātsarvaprayatnena caretpāśupatavratam bhasmaśāyī bhavennityaṃ vrate pāśupate budhaḥ

Translation

The Pāśupata-vrata is a means of escape from saṃsāra; therefore, with every effort one should undertake the Pāśupata discipline. In that Pāśupata observance, the wise aspirant should ever abide in sacred ash (bhasma)—making it a constant support—so that the paśu (bound soul) may move toward Pati’s grace and freedom from pāśa (bondage).

Word by Word

• pāśupata-vratam: the Pāśupata vow/observance

• saṃsārāt: from transmigratory existence

• niṣkrama-upāyam: a means of exit/escape

• tasmāt: therefore

• sarva-prayatnena: with all effort

• caret: should practice/undertake

• bhasma-śāyī: one who lies/sleeps in (or is devoted to) sacred ash

• bhavet: should become/should be

• nityam: always

• vrate: in the vow/observance

• pāśupate: in the Pāśupata (Shiva-centered) discipline

• budhaḥ: the wise one/knower.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching of the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; the verse functions as a prescriptive instruction on Pāśupata-vrata).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Pāśupata-vrata as a direct sādhana for transcending saṃsāra, aligning Linga worship with disciplined observance—especially the Shaiva marker of bhasma—so the devotee approaches Shiva (Pati) beyond bondage (pāśa).

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

By presenting Shiva as Pāśupati (Pati), the liberating Lord who grants release from saṃsāra when the pashu adopts the prescribed discipline, it implies Shiva-tattva as the sovereign, grace-bestowing reality that dissolves bondage.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights Pāśupata-vrata—an austere Shaiva discipline—and specifically emphasizes constant bhasma-orientation (bhasma-śāyī), i.e., living with sacred ash as a continual reminder of renunciation and purification.