Shloka 185

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

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच निशम्य वचनं देवी गत्वा वाराणसीं पुरीम् अविमुक्तेश्वरं लिङ्गं पयसा च घृतेन च

Transliteration

sūta uvāca niśamya vacanaṃ devī gatvā vārāṇasīṃ purīm avimukteśvaraṃ liṅgaṃ payasā ca ghṛtena ca

Translation

Sūta sprach: Nachdem die Göttin jene Worte vernommen hatte, ging sie in die Stadt Vārāṇasī und verehrte den Avimukteśvara-Liṅga mit Milch und mit Ghee.

Word by Word

• sūta uvāca: Sūta said

• niśamya: having heard

• vacanam: the statement/words

• devī: the Goddess (Śakti)

• gatvā: having gone

• vārāṇasīm: to Vārāṇasī

• purīm: the city

• avimukteśvaram: Avimukteśvara (the Lord who never abandons)

• liṅgam: the Liṅga (sign of Pati, Śiva)

• payasā: with milk

• ca: and

• ghṛtena: with ghee

• ca: and

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Devi
• Shiva
• Avimukteshvara
• Varanasi

FAQs

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

It highlights a core Liṅga-pūjā act—abhiṣeka with milk and ghee—showing that devotion to Pati (Śiva) is expressed through consecrated offerings to the Liṅga, especially at Avimukteśvara in Kāśī.

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

By naming Avimukteśvara—“the Lord who never forsakes”—it points to Śiva as Pati who remains accessible and gracious, a steady refuge for the paśu (bound soul) seeking release from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A straightforward puja-vidhi element is emphasized: abhiṣeka of the Liṅga using milk and ghee, a purificatory, sattvic offering that supports inner discipline aligned with Pāśupata-oriented devotion.