Elements of Hindu Iconography v2.c15.12

v2.c15.12

From the above account one fact becomes clear, namely, that some at least of the followers of the Pāśupata and other non-Vēdic sects were at first followers of the Vēdic religion and gave it up and joined the *avaidika* cults. That the Pāśupata and a few other sects are indeed very ancient may be inferred from ancient authorities. The *Atharvaśiras Upanishad* describes the Pāśupata rite thus: “This is the Pāśupata rite: ‘Agni is ashes, Vāyu is ashes, water is ashes, dry land is ashes, the sky is ashes, all this is ashes, the mind, these eyes are ashes.’ Having taken ashes while pronouncing these preceding words, and rubbing himself, let a man touch his limbs. This is the Pāśupata rite, for the removal of the animal bonds.” Again the Bhīta liṅga and the Guḍimallam liṅga bear clear sculptural evidence of the antiquity of the Śaiva cults. From the summary of the philosophy of a few of the important Śaiva sects given below it would be clear that they have played a prominent part in the Religious History of India.