PASHUPATI: THE LORD OF ALL LIVING BEINGS
Pashupati: The Lord of All Living Beings
In Saiva Siddhanta, Pashupati is not merely a "shepherd" or an "owner of animals." The name carries the science of liberation within three simple concepts: Pati, Pasu, and Pasam.
1. Pati (The Lord / The Shepherd)
This is Mahadeva Himself. He is called Pati because He is the sustainer, the protector, and the guide. He is the One who knows the path through the forest when we are lost. He needs no pomp or ceremony; His authority stems from the fact that He is the source of life itself.
2. Pasu (The Soul / The Living Being)
Pasu literally means "cattle" or "animal." But this is not a derogatory term! It signifies that the soul, while bound by ego and desire, acts like an animal: it feels fear, it seeks sustenance, it gets lost, and it requires protection.
Note: Even the gods (Devas) are considered Pasu in the presence of Shiva.
3. Pasam (The Rope / The Bond)
Pasam is the rope that tethers the animal to the post. It represents our attachments, our ego (Anava), and our ignorance. This is where the Tantric/Agamic aspect enters: Shiva, as Pashupati, does not resent the animal for being bound; He comes to untie the rope.
The Spiritual Significance of Pashupati
When you call upon Shiva as Pashupati, you are acknowledging that:
He is the Caretaker: Just as you tend to your children, parents, elders, animals, and plants, Pashupati tends to our souls. He deals with our "impurities" and spiritual ailments without revulsion, with the patience of a father who loves his offspring.
Devastating Humility: A true shepherd sleeps on the ground with the animals, smells like them, and lives for them. He does not sit on a distant throne; He descends into the mud where His Pasus (souls) are.
The Liberation: Pashupati’s goal is not to keep souls tethered forever, but to lead them to the pastures of freedom (Mukti), where the rope of the ego finally withers and falls away.
The Gaze of Pashupati: It is the gaze of one who looks past our animalistic aggression to see the wounded child in need of a sanctuary.
Pashupati is the Innocent Father (Bhole Baba) who demands no complex rituals—only the truth of our hearts.
Learn more about Saiva Siddhanta Philosophy by clicking here:
https://www.sivayoga.com.br/2026/01/saiva-siddhanta-philosophy-free-english.html
