Shloka 45
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
प्रारब्धकर्मणो भोगात्क्षयश्चैव चान्यथा । उपायेन द्वयोर्नाशः कर्मणोः पूजनादिना
prārabdhakarmaṇo bhogātkṣayaścaiva cānyathā | upāyena dvayornāśaḥ karmaṇoḥ pūjanādinā
Prārabdha-Karma erschöpft sich allein dadurch, dass seine Frucht erfahren und ausgekostet wird (bhoga), und nicht auf andere Weise. Doch durch ein heiliges Mittel können beide Arten von Karma vernichtet werden—durch Verehrung Śivas und die damit verbundenen, von Bhakti erfüllten Observanzen.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Frames Śiva-pūjā (and allied bhakti-observances) as an upāya that can burn down karmic bondage beyond ordinary bhoga, preparing the soul for Śiva’s grace.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It distinguishes prārabdha (karma already set in motion) from other karmas and teaches that while prārabdha typically ends through lived experience, Śiva-bhakti expressed through worship is upheld as a powerful upāya that burns karmic bonds and supports liberation.
“Pūjanādinā” points to concrete Saguna worship—especially Liṅga-pūjā and devotional observances—through which the devotee approaches Pati (Śiva) and loosens pāśa (bondage), aligning with Shaiva Siddhānta’s emphasis on divine grace mediated through worship.
Regular Śiva-pūjā (especially Liṅga worship) along with allied practices—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), vrata/fasting such as Mahāśivarātri observance, and devotion-centered discipline—are implied as karmic-purifying upāyas.