Adhyaya 33: Pashupata Conduct, Bhasma-Vrata, and Shiva’s Boon to the Sages
ततस् तान् स मुनीन् प्रीतः प्रत्युवाच महेश्वरः प्रीतो ऽस्मि तपसा युष्मान् वरं वृणुत सुव्रताः
tatas tān sa munīn prītaḥ pratyuvāca maheśvaraḥ prīto 'smi tapasā yuṣmān varaṃ vṛṇuta suvratāḥ
于是大自在天摩醯首罗(大天)心生欢喜,答诸牟尼曰:“因汝等修苦行(tapas),我已满足。噫,善持胜誓者,当自择一愿。”
Shiva (Maheshvara)
It shows that Śiva, the Pati, is directly pleased by disciplined tapas and grants anugraha (grace) through boons—implying that sincere sādhanā and vrata are central to fruitful Linga-upāsanā.
Śiva is portrayed as Maheśvara—an aware, responsive Lord who bestows grace when the pashu (individual soul) purifies itself through tapas, indicating the Pati’s sovereignty and compassion.
Tapas and suvrata (strict vows) are highlighted as core disciplines—aligned with Pāśupata-oriented sādhanā where inner heat, restraint, and devotion prepare the aspirant for Śiva’s blessing.