Shloka 45
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
आदेहपाताद्यो मर्त्योऽविमुक्तं नैव मुञ्चति । ब्रह्मचर्येण संयुक्तः स साक्षाच्छंकरो भवेत् ॥ ४५ ॥
ādehapātādyo martyo'vimuktaṃ naiva muñcati | brahmacaryeṇa saṃyuktaḥ sa sākṣācchaṃkaro bhavet || 45 ||
منذ البدء إلى سقوط الجسد، فإنّ الفاني الذي لا يهجر أڤيموكتا (Avimukta) قطّ—إذا اقترن بالبراهماتشاريا (العفّة وضبط النفس)—يصير كأنّه شانكرا (Śaṅkara) نفسه في صورة ظاهرة.
Suta (narrating the Narada Purana’s Uttara-Bhaga; the verse itself speaks as an authoritative statement within the Kashi/Avimukta Mahatmya section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that unwavering residence/commitment to Avimukta (Kāśī), coupled with brahmacarya, is so purifying that one attains Śiva-like identity—symbolizing liberation-oriented transformation and nearness to Śaṅkara.
By praising steadfast attachment to Śiva’s sacred kṣetra (Avimukta) and disciplined living, it frames bhakti as loyal kṣetra-sevā and inner restraint—devotion expressed through continuous presence, purity, and single-mindedness.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is directly taught; the practical takeaway is dharma-sādhana—brahmacarya as a regulated vow (vrata-like discipline) supporting tīrtha-based mokṣa practice.