Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 57
पशुपाशपतिज्ञान-प्राप्तिः
Acquisition of Paśupati–Pāśa Knowledge
अनेकदेहभेदेन भिन्ना वृत्तिरिहात्मनः । अष्टापदपरिक्षेपे ह्यक्षमुद्रेव लक्ष्यते
anekadehabhedena bhinnā vṛttirihātmanaḥ | aṣṭāpadaparikṣepe hyakṣamudreva lakṣyate
अनेक देहभेदांमुळे येथे आत्म्याची वृत्ती भिन्न भिन्न भासते; जसे अष्टापद-पटावर टाकल्यावर एकाच पास्याची खूण निरनिराळ्या प्रकारे दिसते.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that the one conscious self seems to have many different behaviors only because it is associated with many bodies and conditions; this apparent multiplicity is a perception shaped by embodiment, not the soul’s ultimate nature.
By pointing to the soul’s mistaken sense of division, the verse supports Linga-worship as a stabilizing focus on Pati (Shiva) who is unitary and transcendent; devotion to Saguna Shiva purifies the pashu’s perception and loosens pasha (bondage).
A practical takeaway is meditative self-inquiry with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), contemplating that changing bodily states are like ‘throws’ in a game, while the witnessing awareness is steady—supported by Tripundra and Rudraksha as aids to Shaiva recollection.