Pasha is the noose or rope carried by Hindu Gods and
Goddesses. It can mainly be found in the hands of Ganesha and Yama. When
Ganesha uses Pasha it means he is tying and carrying away all the obstacles. But
when dealing with a person following Adharma, the noose in the hands of Ganesha
is loosened and he releases all the obstacles and creates problems.
Yama carries the noose to capture souls from the body at the
time of death.
Pasha is represented in Hindu Sculptures as consisting of
two or even three ropes made into a single or a double loop. (Quote from
Elements of Hindu Iconography page 8 Volume 1 Part 1)
In the Shaiva Siddhanta, pasha is also the name given to
Shiva’s power of illusion through which he entraps and enthralls unenlightened
people.
Pasha is also one among the one thousand names of Lord
Shiva.
Pashasana is also an important posture in Yoga. The position
of the arms like a noose around the legs is referred as Pashasana.