Shloka 2
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
सूत उवाच । वक्ष्ये संक्षेपतस्सम्यग्वाराणस्यास्सुशोभनम् । विश्वेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं श्रूयतां च मुनीश्वराः
sūta uvāca | vakṣye saṃkṣepatassamyagvārāṇasyāssuśobhanam | viśveśvarasya māhātmyaṃ śrūyatāṃ ca munīśvarāḥ
Sūta said: “I shall now rightly describe, in brief, the splendid glory of Vārāṇasī. O best of sages, listen also to the māhātmya—the sacred greatness—of Lord Viśveśvara.”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Sūta announces the Kāśī māhātmya centered on Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha, the presiding Lord of Avimukta; the narrative frame presents Kāśī as Śiva’s own domain where His grace is especially accessible.
Significance: Hearing and recounting Viśveśvara’s māhātmya is itself treated as puṇya; pilgrimage to Viśvanātha is oriented toward pāśa-kṣaya (loosening of bondage) through Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse formally opens the Kashi–Viśveśvara māhātmya, indicating that attentive listening (śravaṇa) to Śiva’s sacred places and forms is itself a purifying act that supports devotion and liberation-oriented understanding.
By naming Viśveśvara—Śiva revered in a manifest, worshipful form closely associated with the Kashi sacred field—the text frames Saguna worship (especially Liṅga-centered pilgrimage and praise) as a valid doorway to Śiva’s grace and mokṣa.
The immediate practice is śravaṇa (reverent hearing) of the māhātmya; traditionally this is paired with remembrance of Viśveśvara, recitation of Śiva names (including the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and pilgrimage-intent contemplation of Kāśī.