Shloka 55

शिवार्चनविधिः — देवतानां पाशुपतव्रतप्राप्तिः तथा पशुपाशविमोक्षणम् (अध्याय ८०)

Devanagari script

विशोध्य तेषां देवानां पशुत्वं परमेश्वरः व्रतं पाशुपतं चैव स्वयं देवो महेश्वरः

Transliteration

viśodhya teṣāṃ devānāṃ paśutvaṃ parameśvaraḥ vrataṃ pāśupataṃ caiva svayaṃ devo maheśvaraḥ

Translation

至上主たるマハーデーヴァ、すなわちマヘーシュヴァラは、かの諸デーヴァを束縛されたパシュ（paśutva）の状態から清め、パシュをパシュパティ（衆生の主）へ導く修法として、パーシュパタの誓戒（Pāśupata）を自ら定められた。

Word by Word

• विशोध्य (viśodhya): having purified/cleansed

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them

• देवानाम् (devānām): of the gods/Devas

• पशुत्वम् (paśutvam): the condition of being a paśu (bound soul)

• परमेश्वरः (parameśvaraḥ): the Supreme Lord

• व्रतम् (vratam): vow/observance

• पाशुपतम् (pāśupatam): pertaining to Paśupati

• चैव (caiva): and indeed

• स्वयम् (svayam): himself

• देवः (devaḥ): the Lord, the shining one

• महेश्वरः (maheśvaraḥ): Mahādeva, the Great Lord

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, describing Shiva’s act)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Maheshvara
• Parameshvara
• Devas
• Pashu (bound souls)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Shiva as Paśupati who removes paśutva (bonded limitation) and institutes the Pāśupata-vrata—implying that true Linga worship is not only offering-based but also a transformative discipline leading the soul toward Shiva.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva is presented as Parameśvara and Mahēśvara—the independent Pati who can purify even the Devas from paśu-bhāva, showing his role as the liberating Lord beyond all bondage (pāśa).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The Pāśupata-vrata is highlighted: a Shaiva observance aligned with Pāśupata Yoga, aimed at cleansing paśutva and orienting the practitioner toward Paśupati through disciplined conduct and worship.