Shloka 14
सर्वथा यत् पशून् पाति तैश्व यद् रमते सह । तेषामधिपतिर्यच्च तस्मात् पशुपति: स्मृत:
sarvathā yat paśūn pāti taiś ca yad ramate saha | teṣām adhipatir yac ca tasmāt paśupatiḥ smṛtaḥ ||
وایو نے کہا—کیونکہ وہ ہر طرح سے جانوروں کی حفاظت کرتا ہے، اُن کے ساتھ رہنے میں مسرّت پاتا ہے، اور وہی اُن کا آقا و نگران ہے؛ اسی لیے وہ ‘پشوپتی’—مخلوقات کا رب—کے نام سے یاد کیا جاتا ہے۔
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True lordship is defined by protection and benevolent guardianship: the divine is praised not for domination but for safeguarding living beings and taking responsibility as their overseer—hence the epithet Paśupati.
Vāyudeva explains the etymological and ethical basis of the name “Paśupati,” stating that the deity is so called because he protects animals/creatures, delights in their company, and rules over them as their lord.