The tradition is attributed to a sage from Gujarat named Lakulisha (~2nd century CE). He is the purported author of the "Pashupata sutras", a foundational text of this tradition. Other texts include the bhasya (commentary) on "Pashupata sutras" by Kaudinya, the "Gaṇakārikā", "Pañchārtha bhāshyadipikā" and "Rāśikara-bhāshya". The Pashupatha monastic path was available to anyone of any age, but it required renunciation from four Ashrama (stage) into the fifth stage of "Siddha-Ashrama". The path started as a life near a Shiva temple and silent meditation, then a stage when the ascetic left the temple and did karma exchange (be cursed by others, but never curse back). He then moved to the third stage of life where he lived like a loner in a cave or abandoned places or Himalayan mountains, and towards the end of his life he moved to a cremation ground, surviving on little, peacefully awaiting his death.