Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

धर्मस्योपनिषत् सत्यं मोक्षस्योपनिषच् छमः क्षेत्रतीर्थोपनिषदं न विदुर्बुधसत्तमाः

Transliteration

dharmasyopaniṣat satyaṃ mokṣasyopaniṣac chamaḥ kṣetratīrthopaniṣadaṃ na vidurbudhasattamāḥ

Translation

Truth is the upaniṣad, the inner essence of dharma; serenity and forbearance (kṣamā) are the upaniṣad of liberation. Yet even the best among the learned do not truly know the inner essence of sacred fields and tīrtha-shrines.

Word by Word

• धर्मस्य (dharmasya): of dharma, righteous order

• उपनिषत् (upaniṣat): inner essence, secret teaching

• सत्यम् (satyam): truth

• मोक्षस्य (mokṣasya): of liberation

• उपनिषत् (upaniṣat): inner essence

• क्षमः/छमः (kṣamaḥ/chamaḥ): forbearance, serenity, patient endurance

• क्षेत्र (kṣetra): sacred field, holy place

• तीर्थ (tīrtha): ford, pilgrimage-shrine

• उपनिषदम् (upaniṣadam): the inner purport/secret

• न (na): not

• विदुः (viduḥ): know, understand

• बुध-सत्तमाः (budha-sattamāḥ): the best among the wise/learned.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching to the sages at Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It shifts emphasis from mere external pilgrimage or place-based merit to the inner essentials that make Shiva-puja fruitful: satya (truth) as dharma’s core and kṣamā (forbearance/serene restraint) as moksha’s core—qualities that purify the pashu (soul) for Pati’s grace.

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

By implying that liberation is grounded in inner transformation rather than external markers, the verse aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta’s view: Pati (Shiva) grants anugraha (grace) to the pashu when pasha (bondage) is thinned through truthfulness and calm forbearance.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A yogic-ethical discipline central to Pashupata orientation: satya and kṣamā as daily sadhana. It suggests that visiting kṣetras and tīrthas bears real fruit when joined with inner restraint, humility, and truth—making puja and vrata spiritually effective.