________________
144 Saiva Philosophy in some Important Texts [CH. who lived about the middle of the tenth century and is quoted by Ratnākaraśānti of about A.D. 980. Bhāsarvajña, therefore, seems to have lived in the second half of the tenth century. The Ganakārikā consists of eight verses, and its purport is the same as that of the Pāśupata-sūtras. The Pāśupata-sūtra that we have dealt with is the same as that which is referred to as Pāśupata-śāstra, as the Sarvadarśana-samgraha quotes the first sūtra of the Pāśupata-śāstra-.
Gunaratna in his commentary on Haribhadra's Şaddarśanasamuccaya says that the Naiyāyikas are also called Yaugas and they walk about with long staffs and scanty loin-cloths, covering themselves up with blankets. They have matted locks of hair, smear their bodies with ashes, possess the holy thread, carry utensils for water, and generally live in the forests or under trees. They live largely on roots and fruits, and are always hospitable. Sometimes they have wives, sometimes not. The latter are better than the former. They perform the sacrificial duties of fire. In the higher state they go about naked; they purify their teeth and food with water, smear their bodies with ashes three times, and meditate upon Siva. Their chief mantra is om namaḥ śivāya. With this they address their guru and their guru also replies in the same manner. In their meetings they say that those men or women who follow the practices of Saiva initiation for twelve years attain ultimately salvation or Nirvāņa. Siva the omniscient being, the creator and destroyer of the world, is regarded as a god. Siva has eighteen incarnations (avatāra), namely Nakulīsa, Kausika, Gārgya, Maitreya, Kaurusa, Isāna, Para-gārgya, Kapilända, Manusyaka, Kuśika, Atri, Pingala, Puspaka Brhadārya, Agasti, Santāna, Rāsīkara, and Vidyāguru. They adore the aforesaid saints.
They further say that the ultimate being that they worship is not associated with any of the Purāņic characteristics of Siva, such as having matted locks, or the lunar digit in the hair, etc. Such a supreme being is devoid of all such characteristics and passions. Those who desire mundane happiness worship Siva with such associated qualities, and as possessing attachment or passion. But those who are really absolutely unattached, they worship Siva as unattached. People attain just those kinds of fruits that they wish to have, and the manner in which they wish to worship the deity.
i Sarva-darśana-samgraha, Nakulīša-pāśupata-darśana: Tatredam ādisūtram, "athātah pasupateh pāśupata-yoga-vidhim vyākhyāsyāmah" iti.
