Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 104

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

Devanagari script

यतः सृष्टास्त्विमे लोकास् ततः क्षेत्रमिदं शुभम् कदाचिन्न मया मुक्तम् अविमुक्तं ततो ऽभवत्

Transliteration

yataḥ sṛṣṭāstvime lokās tataḥ kṣetramidaṃ śubham kadācinna mayā muktam avimuktaṃ tato 'bhavat

Translation

From whom these worlds have been brought forth—therefore this holy field is auspicious. Since it is never abandoned by me at any time, it has thus become known as Avimukta, the ‘Never-Forsaken’ realm.

Word by Word

• yataḥ: from whom/whence

• sṛṣṭāḥ: created/emanated

• tu: indeed

• ime: these

• lokāḥ: worlds

• tataḥ: therefore/for that reason

• kṣetram: sacred field/holy region

• idam: this

• śubham: auspicious

• kadācit: at any time

• na: not/never

• mayā: by me

• muktam: abandoned/relinquished

• avimuktam: not abandoned, ‘Avimukta’

• tataḥ: thus/therefore

• abhavat: became/has come to be

Speaker

Shiva (as Pati, declaring the nature of Avimukta Kshetra within Suta’s narration)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It grounds Linga-worship in sacred space: Avimukta is declared Shiva’s never-abandoned kṣetra, making it uniquely potent for Linga-sevā, japa, and pūjā aimed at removing pāśa (bondage) for the paśu (soul) through the grace of Pati (Shiva).

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

Shiva is presented as the source of sṛṣṭi (emanation of the worlds) and as the ever-present Lord who does not withdraw from Avimukta—signifying his immanence and steadfast anugraha (grace) toward bound souls.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights kṣetra-upāsanā—approaching Shiva through residence, pilgrimage, or focused worship in Avimukta—supporting Pāśupata-oriented discipline where proximity to Shiva’s presence strengthens vairāgya, japa, and Linga-pūjā.