Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 73
द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)
पशवः पक्षिणो वृक्षाः कीटाद्याः क्षुद्रयोनयः । नराश्च विविधाकारा मृगाश्च क्षुद्रयोनयः
paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo vṛkṣāḥ kīṭādyāḥ kṣudrayonayaḥ | narāśca vividhākārā mṛgāśca kṣudrayonayaḥ
獣・鳥・樹木・虫などは「下位の生（低き生まれ）」と呼ばれる。人間もまた種々の姿をとり、鹿などの野獣も同じくその下位の生に数えられる。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Cosmic Event: saṃsāric classification of yonis (birth-categories) within māyā
FAQs
The verse classifies embodied existences as “lower births,” highlighting the Shaiva Siddhanta theme that the bound soul (paśu) wanders through many forms due to karma and pasha (bondage), and needs the grace of Pati (Shiva) for liberation.
By stressing the limitations of embodied states, it implicitly points to refuge in Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga, devotion, and remembrance of Shiva—as means by which the paśu turns toward Pati and becomes fit for Shiva’s grace that loosens pasha.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a life of dharma and inner restraint; such Shiva-oriented practice purifies karma and supports movement toward moksha.