Shloka 84

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

Devanagari script

देवैः समन्ताद् एतानि लिङ्गानि स्थापितान्यतः दृष्ट्वापि नियतो मर्त्यो देहभेदे गणो भवेत्

Transliteration

devaiḥ samantād etāni liṅgāni sthāpitānyataḥ dṛṣṭvāpi niyato martyo dehabhede gaṇo bhavet

Translation

Therefore the Devas installed these Liṅgas on every side. Even a mortal who merely beholds them with disciplined devotion, at the breaking of the body (death) becomes a Gaṇa—an attendant in Śiva’s retinue.

Word by Word

• देवैः: by the Devas

• समन्तात्: on all sides/everywhere

• एतानि: these

• लिङ्गानि: Liṅgas (Śiva-emblems)

• स्थापितानि: installed/established

• अतः: therefore/for this reason

• दृष्ट्वा अपि: even by seeing/though merely beholding

• नियतः: restrained, disciplined, devout

• मर्त्यः: mortal human

• देहभेदे: at the separation/breaking of the body (at death)

• गणः: a Gaṇa (Śiva’s attendant)

• भवेत्: becomes/should become

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga-sthapana narrative to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Shiva
• Linga
• Ganas

FAQs

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

It elevates Liṅga-darśana (beholding the installed Liṅga) as a powerful Shaiva act: when done with niyama (disciplined devotion), it yields post-mortem proximity to Pati—becoming a Gaṇa in Śiva’s divine retinue.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied as supremely gracious: Pati accepts even simple contact through the Liṅga (darśana) and uplifts the pashu beyond ordinary rebirth into service and nearness within Śiva’s gaṇa-mandala.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights niyama-yukta darśana—regulated, vow-informed devotion (a Pāśupata-aligned discipline) centered on sacred sites where Devas established Liṅgas, emphasizing purity, restraint, and focused reverence.