Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 54
पशुपाशपतिज्ञान-प्राप्तिः
Acquisition of Paśupati–Pāśa Knowledge
अत्यंतमसुखावासास्स्मृताश्चैकांतमृत्यवः । अनागता अतीताश्च तनवो ऽस्य सहस्रशः
atyaṃtamasukhāvāsāssmṛtāścaikāṃtamṛtyavaḥ | anāgatā atītāśca tanavo 'sya sahasraśaḥ
On se souvient d’eux comme demeurant dans une détresse extrême et voués à une mort inévitable. D’innombrables corps des siens—certains à venir, d’autres déjà passés—existent par milliers.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta view that the bound soul (paśu), constrained by bonds (pāśa) like karma and ignorance, repeatedly takes innumerable bodies marked by suffering and certain death—thereby urging refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva) for liberation.
By stressing the misery of repeated embodiment, the verse supports turning to accessible Saguna Shiva—worshiped as the Linga—as the compassionate means through which Shiva’s grace purifies karma and leads the soul beyond death-bound cycles.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with daily Linga worship (abhisheka) and remembrance of Shiva, cultivating detachment from transient bodies and orientation toward moksha.