Shloka 35
Varuṇa’s Bestowal of the Gāṇḍīva and the Arming of Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna
Khāṇḍava Prelude
आद्य॑ पशुपते: स्थान दर्शनादेव मुक्तिदम् । यत्र पापो5पि मनुज: प्राप्नोत्यभयदं पदम्,वह भगवान् शंकरका आदिस्थान है और दर्शनमात्रसे मोक्ष देनेवाला है। पापी मनुष्य भी वहाँ जाकर निर्भय पद प्राप्त कर लेता है
ādyaṃ paśupateḥ sthānaṃ darśanād eva muktidam | yatra pāpo 'pi manuṣyaḥ prāpnoty abhayadaṃ padam ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Ésta es la morada primordial de Paśupati, que concede la liberación con sólo contemplarla. Incluso un hombre pecador, al llegar allí, alcanza el estado sin temor».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the transformative power of sacred encounter (darśana): contact with Śiva’s primordial abode is portrayed as so purifying that it can grant mokṣa and fearlessness even to one burdened with sin, highlighting divine grace and the ethical possibility of renewal.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a holy site associated with Paśupati/Śiva, praising it as an ‘original’ abode whose mere sight bestows liberation; he underscores its exceptional sanctity by stating that even a sinful person who goes there attains the fearless goal.