Shloka 166

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

चण्डिकेश्वरकं देवि चण्डिकेशा तवात्मजा चण्डिकानिर्मितं स्थानम् अंबिकातीर्थम् उत्तमम्

Transliteration

caṇḍikeśvarakaṃ devi caṇḍikeśā tavātmajā caṇḍikānirmitaṃ sthānam aṃbikātīrtham uttamam

Translation

O Göttin, dies ist Caṇḍikeśvaraka; Caṇḍikeśā ist deine eigene Tochter. Diese heilige Stätte, von Caṇḍikā errichtet, ist das höchste Ambikā-Tīrtha.

Word by Word

• चण्डिकेश्वरकम्: Caṇḍikeśvaraka (a Śiva/ Liṅga shrine)

• देवि: O Goddess

• चण्डिकेशा: Caṇḍikeśā

• तव: your

• आत्मजा: daughter, born of you

• चण्डिकानिर्मितम्: fashioned/established by Caṇḍikā

• स्थानम्: sacred place, seat

• अंबिकातीर्थम्: Ambikā-Tīrtha (holy ford/pilgrimage)

• उत्तमम्: supreme, most excellent

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the tirtha-mahatmya within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Ambika (Devi/Parvati)
• Chandika
• Chandikesvara (Shiva/Linga)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It identifies a specific Liṅga-shrine (Caṇḍikeśvaraka) and declares Ambikā-Tīrtha as supremely meritorious, framing pilgrimage and Liṅga-darśana as a direct means to approach Pati (Śiva) through a Śakti-established sacred seat.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is presented as accessible in a consecrated locus (sthāna) where Śakti (Caṇḍikā/Ambikā) establishes the form of worship; the verse implies the inseparability of Pati (Śiva) and Śakti in granting grace to the pashu (individual soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A tirtha-centered practice is emphasized: visiting Ambikā-Tīrtha and performing Liṅga-darśana/arcana at Caṇḍikeśvaraka—typical of Śaiva pūjā-vidhi that supports purification of pāśa (bondage) and readiness for Pāśupata-oriented discipline.