Pashupati

Pashupati is one of the most ancient and foundational aspects of Shiva, worshipped as the supreme lord of all creatures (Pashu). In this form, Shiva is the compassionate master who governs and ultimately liberates all living beings from the bonds (Pasha) of ego, desire, and ignorance. Pashupati represents the soul's journey from bondage to ultimate freedom and spiritual realization.

Lord of All Beings

This is one of Shiva's most ancient forms, revered in the Vedas and famously enshrined in the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal. He is seen as the divine protector of all life.

Pashupati is deeply venerated in both Vedic and pre-Vedic cultures, with prominent worship in Nepal at the Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This form signifies Shiva’s connection with nature, animals, and his role as the ultimate liberator of souls trapped in worldly existence.

Spiritual bondage and liberation, universal lordship, compassion for all beings