MEANING OF THE WORD "PASHUPATI"

Q: In Nepal, Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Pashupati Nath. What is the meaning of the word 'Pashupati'?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Pashu (Hindi word for animal) means one that is tied down by something or is stuck in bondage. Paash is something like a rope; it is that somethingthat ties you down or restricts you. There are eight kinds of Paash and so there are eight kinds of Pashu tied by them. In English there is a saying, 'Man is a social animal'. So everyone is tied up or bonded to the world by some Paash or another, like greed, attachment etc. Lord Shiva is the lord of this entire creation that is tied by the eight kinds of ropes. So he is the master and lord of all living beings and creatures in this world.

In Nepal there is an orthodox custom of animal sacrifice. Do not go and offer any kind of sacrifices at the temple. The lord does not like that at all. Did you all know that? It is a great sin to offer sacrifice of another living being in the name of pleasing God. It is sheer ignorance. Today I would want to congratulate all our Art of Living teachers and volunteers for the great work they have been doing to bring an end to animal killing and animal sacrifices. I came to know that the rate of animal sacrifices has fallen by 40% or 60%. You must continue to spread awareness about this and educate more and more people. Tell them that if they do not have the capacity to bring another living creature into this world, then they also have no right to take away its life. If you can bring an innocent goat to life, then you have the right to take its life also. But when you do not have the power to give life to a goat, then you also have no right to take away its life. Every creature has the right to live. It is not prescribed anywhere in our scriptures to offer animal sacrifices to please God.