Shloka 95
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि
पुरा जम्बूकरूपेण असुरो देवकण्टकः ब्रह्मणो हि वरं लब्ध्वा गोमायुर्बन्धशङ्कितः
purā jambūkarūpeṇa asuro devakaṇṭakaḥ brahmaṇo hi varaṃ labdhvā gomāyurbandhaśaṅkitaḥ
Formerly, an Asura—an affliction to the Devas—assumed the form of a jackal. Having obtained a boon from Brahmā, he lived in fear of being bound, like a fox that suspects a snare.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
FAQs
It frames the core Shaiva theme of pasha (bondage/restraint): even one empowered by boons fears binding. Linga worship centers Pati (Shiva) as the supreme Lord who alone can bind adharmic forces and liberate the pashu (soul) from pasha.
Though Shiva is not named here, the narrative implies the Shaiva Siddhanta triad: pashu and pasha are real, and boons cannot erase the fundamental law of restraint. Shiva-tattva as Pati stands beyond boons and fear, governing bondage and release.
No specific rite is stated in this line; the takeaway aligns with Pashupata Yoga’s discipline of conquering fear and instability (bhaya, śaṅkā) through devotion to Pashupati and steady restraint of the mind, which mirrors the theme of “binding” (bandha) and mastery over impulses.