Shloka 56
Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama
इदं पवित्रं परमं रहस्यं व्रतोत्तमं विश्वसृजापि सृष्टम् हिताय देवासुरसिद्धमर्त्यविद्याधराणां परमं शिवेन
idaṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ rahasyaṃ vratottamaṃ viśvasṛjāpi sṛṣṭam hitāya devāsurasiddhamartyavidyādharāṇāṃ paramaṃ śivena
Inilah rahsia tertinggi yang amat menyucikan—nazar yang paling utama—yang ditetapkan bahkan oleh Pencipta alam semesta, demi kebajikan para dewa, asura, siddha, manusia fana dan vidyādhara; ia ditegakkan oleh Śiva Yang Maha Tinggi demi kebaikan sejati mereka.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya; presenting the revealed vow as Shiva-established and Brahma-ordained)
FAQs
It frames the observance connected with Śiva (the vratottama) as a supremely purifying esoteric discipline, instituted for the welfare of all beings—supporting Linga-pūjā as a universal means for purification and grace.
Śiva is presented as the Supreme Pati who establishes the highest salvific secret for the good of all classes of beings, implying His compassionate sovereignty and role as the ultimate source of purification and auspicious liberation.
The verse highlights a “vratottama” (the highest vow/observance), implying a Shaiva vrata aligned with Pāśupata discipline—purificatory conduct and worship that loosens pāśa (bondage) and turns the paśu (soul) toward Śiva (Pati).