अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि
चन्द्रांशुजालशबलैस् तिलकैर् मनोज्ञैः सिन्दूरकुङ्कुमकुसुम्भनिभैर् अशोकैः चामीकरद्युतिसमैरथ कर्णिकारैः पुष्पोत्करैरुपचितं सुविशालशाखैः
candrāṃśujālaśabalais tilakair manojñaiḥ sindūrakuṅkumakusumbhanibhair aśokaiḥ cāmīkaradyutisamairatha karṇikāraiḥ puṣpotkarairupacitaṃ suviśālaśākhaiḥ
It was richly adorned with charming tilaka-like marks, mottled like a net of moonbeams; and it was heaped with masses of blossoms upon branches spread wide and vast—Aśoka flowers glowing red like sindūra, kuṅkuma, and kusumbha-dye, and Karṇikāra blooms shining with the luster of gold. In such sanctified beauty, the mind of the paśu naturally turns toward Pati (Śiva) and the path of Śiva’s worship.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
The verse sacralizes the worship-environment: fragrant, luminous flowers and expansive branches indicate a purified kṣetra where the mind becomes fit for liṅga-pūjā—moving the paśu from sensory attraction toward devotion to Pati (Śiva).
Śiva-tattva is implied as the supreme purifier whose presence is mirrored by moonlike coolness, golden radiance, and auspicious markings—symbols of sattva and śuddhi that loosen pāśa (bondage) by directing awareness toward the Lord.
It points to pūjā-vidhi through upacāras—especially puṣpa-offering and creating a sanctified setting—supporting inner recollection (smaraṇa) that aligns with Pāśupata discipline: turning the bound soul from distraction to Śiva-centered contemplation.