Paśu
Paśu, “the bound one; an animal”
Grammar: masculine noun, from the root paś (to bind): “that which is bound”; in common use, an animal.
Meaning: in the teaching of dīkshā, the jīva bound by the pāśas (bonds) of prakṛti and saṃsāra, who is freed in dīkshā by the grace of Bhagavān Vishṇu or Bhagavān Śiva; the disciple before and during dīkshā is called a paśu. In common use, an animal, a beast of the herd.
In the scriptures: the Agni Purāṇa uses the word for the disciple as a bound jīva, in the Vaishṇava dīkshā and in the nirvāṇa-dīkshā of Bhagavān Śiva.
In the Vaishṇava dīkshā. Nārada teaches the agni-kārya: when the homa is over and the pūjā complete, the disciples, who have fasted and are pure, are called and seated before the guru. These paśus are sprinkled with the astra-mantra, and the guru unites them with himself by the bonds of vidyā and karma (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 24). In the dīkshā which gives all fruits, the guru prays to Bhagavān Vishṇu: “O Deva, who loves his devotees! You alone are the refuge that removes the pāpas of the paśus sunk in the ocean of saṃsāra. O Devadeva, by your grace free these paśus bound by the bonds of prakṛti. Give your permission.” Having made this request, the guru goes among the paśus, purifies them with the dhāraṇās and the burning and the rest, consecrates them, joins them with the mūrti, binds their eyes and shows them the maṇḍala; and the whole path is withdrawn into the body of the paśu (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 27).
In the nirvāṇa-dīkshā. As Parameśvara teaches, the guru gives each ruling devatā its śulka (due), buddhi and ahaṅkāra to Īśvara, manas and bindu to Sadāśiva, and makes each hear Śiva’s command. To Īśvara: “All the pāśas of this paśu have been burned. From now on you must not cause bonds to him” (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 87). To Sadāśiva: “All the pāpas in this paśu have been burned. Therefore you should not stay here to bind him” (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 88).
Related terms: Pāśa · Paśupati · Jīva · Dīkshā · Saṃsāra
Sources
- Agni Purāṇa, Chapters 24, 27, 87–88