अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि
ततः पाशुपताः सिद्धा भस्माभ्यङ्गसितप्रभाः माहेश्वरा महात्मानस् तथा वै नियतव्रताः
tataḥ pāśupatāḥ siddhā bhasmābhyaṅgasitaprabhāḥ māheśvarā mahātmānas tathā vai niyatavratāḥ
Kemudian tampaklah para Pāśupata yang telah mencapai siddhi—pengikut Paśupati—bersinar dengan kilau putih abu suci (bhasma) yang disapukan ke seluruh tubuh. Mereka ialah pemuja Maheśvara, jiwa-jiwa agung, teguh dalam ikrar disiplin.
Suta Goswami
It highlights the archetypal Shaiva practitioners who uphold Linga-centered devotion through bhasma-dhāraṇa and strict vrata, presenting the Pāśupata path as a living culture of worship around Mahādeva.
By naming Śiva as Paśupati and Maheśvara, it implies the Siddhānta triad: Pati (Śiva) as the sovereign Lord who governs and liberates the paśu (soul) from pāśa (bondage), approached through disciplined observance.
Bhasmābhyaṅga (smearing sacred ash) together with niyata-vrata (regulated vows) indicates Pāśupata-style ascetic discipline—outer marks supporting inner detachment and devotion to Śiva.