Vāmadeva-mata: Rahasya-upadeśa
The Esoteric Teaching of Vāmadeva’s Doctrine
प्रणवो हि परः साक्षात्परमेश्वरवाचकः । वाच्यः पशुपतिर्देवः पशूनां पाशमोचकः
praṇavo hi paraḥ sākṣātparameśvaravācakaḥ | vācyaḥ paśupatirdevaḥ paśūnāṃ pāśamocakaḥ
Quả thật, Praṇava (Oṁ) tối thượng trực tiếp chỉ bày Đấng Tối Cao. Đấng được âm ấy biểu thị chính là Deva Paśupati—Chúa của các linh hồn bị trói buộc—Đấng tháo gỡ mọi dây trói (pāśa) ràng buộc chúng sinh.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Mantra: ॐ (Praṇava)
Type: gayatri
Role: liberating
It identifies Oṁ (Praṇava) as the direct indicator of Parameśvara and presents Shiva as Paśupati—the liberator who cuts the soul’s bonds (pāśas), aligning with the Shaiva Siddhanta triad of Pati–Paśu–Pāśa.
Praṇava is used in Linga worship and mantra-japa as the sonic form that points to Shiva; through Saguna worship (Linga, icon, rites) the devotee approaches the same Paśupati who grants release from bondage.
Practice Praṇava japa (Oṁ) with contemplation of Shiva as Paśupati, praying for release from pāśas; it can be integrated with Shiva-pūjā and disciplined meditation (dhyāna) for liberation-oriented devotion.