Shloka 21
Viśveśvara-māhātmya and the Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Emergence of Śiva (Śakti–Puruṣa/Prakṛti Discourse)
अविमुक्तं स्वयं लिंगं स्थापितं परमात्मना । न कदाचित्त्वया त्याज्यमिदं क्षेत्रं ममांशक
avimuktaṃ svayaṃ liṃgaṃ sthāpitaṃ paramātmanā | na kadācittvayā tyājyamidaṃ kṣetraṃ mamāṃśaka
In Avimukta hat der Paramātman selbst diesen Liṅga errichtet. Darum, o Teil von Mir, darfst du dieses heilige Kṣetra niemals verlassen.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In Avimukta (Kāśī), the Liṅga is declared ‘svayaṃ-sthāpita’ by the Paramātman—hence the kṣetra is ‘unforsaken’ by Śiva. The command ‘never abandon this field’ establishes Avimukta as Śiva’s perpetual seat of grace and liberation.
Significance: Darśana and worship of the svayaṃ-liṅga in Avimukta is held to grant swift purification and mokṣa; staying within the kṣetra is praised as remaining within Śiva’s protective anugraha.
Role: liberating
Offering: dhupa
Cosmic Event: localization of the transcendent Paramātman as svayaṃ-liṅga—grace made immanent in a kṣetra
FAQs
It declares Avimukta (Kāśī) as a uniquely liberated kṣetra where Śiva’s presence is direct and unwavering, because the Liṅga there is established by the Paramātman Himself—making the place a powerful support for mukti through Śiva-sambandha (bond with Śiva).
The verse emphasizes Saguna worship through the Liṅga as Śiva’s chosen, established form in the world; approaching the Liṅga in Avimukta is presented as approaching Śiva’s living presence, not merely a symbol.
The practical takeaway is steadfast kṣetra-niṣṭhā (devotional commitment to the sacred space) expressed through regular Liṅga-pūjā—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple offerings with bhakti.