Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 40
शिवसंस्कार-दीक्षानिरूपणम् (Śivasaṃskāra and the Typology of Dīkṣā)
परिग्रहविनिर्मुक्तः पशुरित्यभिधीयते । पशुभिः प्रेरितश्चापि पशुत्वं नातिवर्तते
parigrahavinirmuktaḥ paśurityabhidhīyate | paśubhiḥ preritaścāpi paśutvaṃ nātivartate
Celui qui est affranchi de l’esprit de possession et de la convoitise est appelé « paśu » (l’individu lié). Mais s’il est poussé par d’autres paśus (êtres mondains enchaînés), il ne dépasse pas réellement le paśutva : l’état de servitude et de vie conditionnée.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva Siddhanta insight that bondage (paśutva) is not ended merely by dropping outer possessions; one must also be free from the pull of worldly company and impulses, turning the will toward Pati (Shiva) for true release from pāśa (bonds).
Linga-worship centers the mind on Shiva as Pati, the liberating Lord; this verse implies that without anchoring oneself in Shiva-bhakti and disciplined focus, external renunciation can be undone by social pressure and worldly imitation, keeping one in paśutva.
Practice steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), cultivate satsanga with Shiva-devotees rather than worldly influence, and support inner detachment with simple Shiva-upacharas such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudraksha as reminders of vairagya and restraint.