In this blog, we rediscover Pashupati, the Vedic deity Rudra, who became Shiva, the lord of all living beings. We will connect the Pashupati seal of Mohenjo-Daro with Vedic origins, Puranic stories of Pashupati, and Shaiva philosophies like Pashupata Shaivism. With insights into iconography, scriptures, and yogic traditions, we will appreciate Pashupati as a cosmic force governing life, death, desire, and liberation.
The name “Pashupati” or Lord of Animals was made popular by the excavations of one of the oldest civilisations of the world- Harappa. Surrounded by animals, the yogi with a unique headgear was identified as their Pati (Lord). But in the Vedas, Pashupati is not just looking after the animals but all living beings. He is Rudra, the son of Prajapati, who was crowned Pashupati or Pashuman to reign over all the souls, regulate their actions, and guide them toward a righteous life.
In the story of the creation of the world, Rudra emerges as one of the earliest deities. He is also called Sharva, the archer aspect that is later identified with Shiva. According to the Maitrayani Samhita of Yajurveda, Prajapati was enchanted by his daughter Usha and followed her all over the world, both transforming into different animals and engaging in lovemaking.
Sharva, the archer, prepared to shoot an arrow at Prajapati to put an end to his passions. Scared of getting hurt, Prajapati proclaimed, “Do not shoot, O archer. I will crown you Pashupati (pashunam pati) the Lord of all beings, and you will look after this creation of mine.” While Sharva was shooting, he let out a cry (arodit), and thus, he was also named Rudra (he who cried, the howler).
In the Shatarudriya, a part of the Yajurveda, Rudra is evoked through different names, one of which is Pashupati- “Namah Pashupataye Cha” (Salutations to the Pashupati, Lord of all beings).
The famous seal of Mohenjo-daro, also known as the Pashupati seal or proto-Shiva, depicts a male deity, surrounded by animals, wearing a horned crown, and sitting in a graceful yet alert pose.
The seal presents:
☛ A seated male figure in mulabandhasana, which is associated with asceticism and the practice of Brahmacharya in Yoga.
☛ Surrounded by animals elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, and buffalo symbolizing control over life.
☛ Possibly three faces, which are often connected with the Trimukha or three-faced images of Shiva.
The Puranas extend the stories of Pashupati-Rudra mentioned in the Vedas and Upanishads. The Padma Purana mentions that Pashupati is one of the 8 names that were given by Brahma to Rudra. In the Vayaveeya Samhita of Shiva Purana, Vaayu, the Hindu god of wind, narrates to the sages of Naimisharanya Teertha the story of Rudra-Pashupati.
The sages ask Vaayu Deva about the knowledge of Ishwara, the supreme lord. He says that Jad (prakriti), chetan (jeeva), and niyanta (parameshwara), the essential elements of life, are Paash, Pashu, and Pashupati.
Notable points of Vaayu’s introduction of Pashupati are-
☛ Maya is the power of the divine, the human being, and Purush is controlled by Maya (prakriti). Maya is the weapon of Pashupati or Ishwara.
☛ One who governs maya and jeeva, the paash and the pashu both, the controller and the controlled is Pashupati.
☛ At the beginning of the srishti or creation, there is only one Rudra Deva; he creates, protects, and destroys. He creates gods. He first creates Brahma,
☛ Maheshwara resides in all Bhutas, he is the Drishta (sees all), sakshi (witness), chetan (conscious), nirguna (devoid of any qualities). He is the one in whose vash (control) are all.
☛ The one who is Kaamana-rahit (without any desires) and fulfils all kamanas (desires) is Ishwara.
☛ Kaal- the world remains in the present in the mouth of Kaal, goes through cycles of utpatti and pralaya.
☛ As Kaalatma, Maheshwara is the one who sustains and controls all the creation. Kaal is a potency, in control of Shiva, but he is not in the control of Kaal.
☛ Even those who win over the world by winning over their Indreeya can not win over Kaal. Everyone, thus, is under the control of Pashupati.
This is why the Puranas mention-
“पाशबद्धः स्थितः जीवः, पाशमुक्त सदाशिवः”“Those who are in Paasha or the noose of life are Jeeva, and he who is free is Sadashiva.”
While the Pashupati seal is a popular figure, the iconography of Pashupati as derived from Vedic and Puranic sources, is best seen in the Chola bronzes, where the ancient hymns describing the nirguna, supreme Rudra, take a visible form.
In the statues of Pashupati, he is shown as-
☛ A standing, young, and beautiful male.
☛ Four-armed, wrapped in tiger hide or dhoti, with Jata-mukuta (crown of tresses).
☛ He holds the Pashu (antelope), Trishula (trident), Ankusha (goad), and Abhaya or Varada mudra (gesture of removing fear and giving boons).
Beginning in the 2nd century CE, the Pashupata cult is a lesser-known Tantric Shaiva tradition, started by Lakulisa and his followers. According to the sect-
☛ The world is inhabited by Pashus who wander around in ignorance.
☛ Pashupati is the deity who can cut through these bonds of the world.
☛ Moksha- liberation from the Paasha of existence is possible through asceticism and giving up worldly pleasures, and being devoted to Pashupati.
The later Shaiva traditions such as Nath and Kapalikas drew inspiration from the philosophy, Yogic and ritual practices of the Pashupata sect.
Shiva is called Pashupati (the Lord or pati or all living beings or Pashu) because he controls the souls of individuals who live and run in the forest of existence, filled with ignorance. All the living beings or souls are the Pashus that are governed by Pashupati-Shiva.
Pashupati in history refers particularly to the Pashupati or proto-Shiva seal, famously discovered from the excavation at Mohenjo-Daro. Pashupati, in general, refers to the Vedic deity who came to be known as an aspect of Shiva.
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant temples of Shiva in Nepal, equivalent to Kashi for the devotees, who worship Shiva to gain Moksha (liberation) from the cycles of life and birth.
The original construction of Pashupatinath temple was started under Licchavi king Supuspadev, but was reconstructed by several other individuals and dynasties from ancient to medieval times.
The Pashupati seal is often associated with Shiva due to the deity’s yogic posture and the connection of Shiva with “pashu”. However, the term Pashupati in Hindu traditions describes all living beings, and there are differences between Vedic and Harappan culture, due to which many scholars believe that it could be proto-Shiva (an earlier idea that later became a part of Shiva’s divine persona) or it is another deity, not Shiva in the seal.
Rudra, the primordial and powerful Vedic deity, is Pashupati. He is the omnipresent rope that unites the cosmos and controls its functions. He is the supreme being. Though Pashupati is a lesser-known aspect of Shiva in the present rituals and temple traditions, for the devotees, practitioners of Yoga, Shaiva-Tantra, and seekers of Moksha, it is the primordial Pashupati who is their Ishta devata. To explore more on Pashupati in Indian books, statues, and culture, visit Exotic India Art and find answers to your questions about this rare aspect of Shiva, who governs over us all.
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