Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 62
देवस्तुतिः—नन्दिकेश्वरविज्ञप्तिः—शम्भोः समाधेः उत्थानम्
Devas’ Hymn, Nandikeśvara’s Petition, and Śiva’s Rising from Samādhi
लोहदारुमयैः पाशैर्दृढं बद्धोऽपि मुच्यते । स्त्र्यादिपाशसुसंबद्धो मुच्यते न कदाचन
lohadārumayaiḥ pāśairdṛḍhaṃ baddho'pi mucyate | stryādipāśasusaṃbaddho mucyate na kadācana
Even one who is firmly bound by fetters made of iron or wood can still be released; but one who is tightly bound by the noose of attachment to woman and the like is never released at any time.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It contrasts external bondage (which can be cut) with inner bondage—craving and possessive attachment—which, in Shaiva Siddhanta terms, strengthens pāśa and obstructs the soul’s (paśu’s) turning toward Pati (Shiva), delaying liberation.
Linga/Saguna Shiva worship trains the mind in single-pointed devotion and purity; this verse warns that without reducing attachment and desire, ritual alone cannot yield the freedom that comes from Shiva’s grace and inner transformation.
Cultivate vairāgya alongside daily Shiva sādhanā—japa of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), meditation on Shiva as Pati, and disciplined conduct—so the inner pāśa of attachment is loosened.