Shloka 58
प्रणवार्थपद्धतिवर्णनम्
Methodical Explanation of the Meaning of Praṇava/Om
एतद्रहस्यम्परमं लब्ध्वा सूतान्मुनीश्वराः । काश्यामेव समासीना मुक्ताश्शिवपदं ययुः
etadrahasyamparamaṃ labdhvā sūtānmunīśvarāḥ | kāśyāmeva samāsīnā muktāśśivapadaṃ yayuḥ
Having received this supreme secret from Sūta, the great sages remained in Kāśī; liberated from bondage, they attained the state of Śiva—His highest abode.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī as Avimukta-kṣetra: Śiva never abandons it; liberation is especially accessible there through Śiva’s grace and the saving upadeśa associated with Kāśī (often framed as the ‘tāraka’ bestowal at death). This verse links rahasya-upadeśa with residing in Kāśī and attaining śiva-pada.
Significance: Residence/darśana in Kāśī and devotion to Viśvanātha are held to conduce to mokṣa; here, the decisive factor is receiving the supreme secret and becoming mukta.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares that receiving the highest Shaiva secret (rahasya) and abiding in the sanctity of Kāśī culminates in moksha—attainment of Śiva-pada, the liberated state identified with closeness to Pati (Śiva) beyond bondage (pāśa).
Kāśī is traditionally upheld as a supreme kṣetra of Śiva where Saguna worship—especially Liṅga-upāsanā—ripens devotion and knowledge; through Śiva’s grace, that practice leads to realization of Śiva-pada (the fruit of worship).
The verse points to śravaṇa of Shaiva rahasya (listening to Śiva-tattva), steady residence/abidance in Śiva’s kṣetra (Kāśī), and sustained upāsanā—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and Liṅga-pūjā—as the practical pathway toward liberation.