Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 58
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
नाहं क्वचित्स्वं पितरं स्मरामि गुहांतरे घोरमनन्यचीर्णम् । एतद्व्रतं पशुपातं चरामि न मातरं त्वज्ञतमो विरूपः
nāhaṃ kvacitsvaṃ pitaraṃ smarāmi guhāṃtare ghoramananyacīrṇam | etadvrataṃ paśupātaṃ carāmi na mātaraṃ tvajñatamo virūpaḥ
« Je ne me souviens à aucun moment de mon propre père — qui vivait seul dans une grotte effroyable. J'observe ce vœu même de Pāśupata ; je ne me souviens pas non plus de ma mère. Je suis tout à fait ignorant et difforme. »
A distressed speaker in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative (as recounted by Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse expresses radical dis-identification from worldly lineage and self-image, turning instead to the Pāśupata discipline—signaling that liberation (mokṣa) is sought by surrendering the limited ego (paśu) and relying on Śiva (Pati) through vow, austerity, and grace.
The Pāśupata vow is traditionally oriented to Saguna Śiva worship (often Linga-centered), where disciplined observance and devotion purify the bonds (pāśa) and prepare the devotee for Śiva’s anugraha (saving grace).
It points to vrata-based Shaiva sādhanā—Pāśupata observance supported by mantra-japa (notably Śiva-mantras), regulated conduct, and renunciation; in broader Shiva Purana practice this is commonly complemented by bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa as aids to steady devotion.