The holy Pāśupata rite (pāśupatavrata-māhātmya) - Verse 53
Linga Purana (GRETIL / Wisdomlib) · 1 · Verse 80.53
Sanskrit Original
प्रणेमुस तुष्टुवुश चैव प्रीतिकण्टकितत्वचः। विज्ञाप्य शितिकण्ठाय पशुपाशविमोक्षणम।।
praṇemus tuṣṭuvuś caiva prītikaṇṭakitatvacaḥ| vijñāpya śitikaṇṭhāya paśupāśavimokṣaṇam||
Sūta said: By performing this excellent Vrata for twelve years, or for twelve months or for twelve days, all Paśus are liberated from the bondage of worldly existence.” Nandin, the son of Śilāda, the leader of the Bhūtas showed the lord to all Devas including Viṣṇu. On seeing lord Śiva the unchanging deity accompanied by Ambā and Gaṇas, Devas were thrilled with pleasure. They bowed to the lord and eulogised him. After submitting to lord Śiva, their desire for liberation from bondage, Devas stood in front of lord Śiva bowing again and again.