Shloka 143

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

Devanagari script

अविशब्देन पापस्तु वेदोक्तः कथ्यते द्विजैः तेन मुक्तं मया जुष्टम् अविमुक्तम् अत उच्यते

Transliteration

aviśabdena pāpastu vedoktaḥ kathyate dvijaiḥ tena muktaṃ mayā juṣṭam avimuktam ata ucyate

Translation

Brahmins declare, on Vedic authority, that the term “Avi” signifies sin. Therefore, this place—favoured and inhabited by Me—is ‘free from Avi (sin)’; hence it is called Avimukta, the Never-Abandoned, liberating abode of Śiva.

Word by Word

• avi: sin/impurity (as explained by the twice-born)

• śabdena: by the word/term

• pāpaḥ: sin

• tu: indeed

• veda-uktaḥ: stated/grounded in the Veda

• kathyate: is said/explained

• dvijaiḥ: by the twice-born (Brahmins)

• tena: therefore/by that reason

• muktaṃ: freed/released

• mayā: by Me (Śiva)

• juṣṭam: favoured, enjoyed, inhabited

• avimuktam: Avimukta (‘not abandoned’, also ‘free from sin’)

• ataḥ: hence/therefore

• ucyate: is called

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s kshetra-teaching as received in the tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It identifies Avimukta (Kāśī) as Śiva’s specially “inhabited” liberating field, where papa (avi) is removed—supporting the Shaiva view that proximity to Pati and His kṣetra accelerates purification and readiness for mokṣa.

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

Śiva is presented as Pati who is never separated from His devotees and His sacred domain; His presence itself negates bondage-conditions like papa, indicating His grace (anugraha) as the decisive liberating power.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Kṣetra-sevā—living in/visiting Avimukta with Śiva-smaraṇa, japa, and Liṅga-pūjā—aimed at papa-kṣaya (sin-dissolution) and the loosening of pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (soul).