Shloka 22
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
महत्क्षेत्रमिदं तस्मादविमुक्तमिति स्मृतम् । सर्वेभ्यो नैमिषादिभ्यः परं मोक्षप्रदं मृते
mahatkṣetramidaṃ tasmādavimuktamiti smṛtam | sarvebhyo naimiṣādibhyaḥ paraṃ mokṣapradaṃ mṛte
Therefore this is a supremely great sacred field, remembered as Avimukta. Even beyond all holy places such as Naimiṣa and the rest, it is the highest bestower of liberation for one who dies here.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Kotirudra Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Pashupatinatha
Jyotirlinga: Visvanatha
Sthala Purana: Avimukta (‘never abandoned’) is declared the supreme kṣetra: surpassing famed tīrthas like Naimiṣa, it grants mokṣa specifically to those who die there—implying Śiva’s special salvific act at the moment of death (antakāla-anugraha).
Significance: Antyeṣṭi/antakāla in Kāśī is said to yield liberation; the kṣetra is framed as the highest ‘mokṣa-prada’ among all pilgrimage sites.
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: antakāla (death-moment) as the decisive spiritual event
FAQs
This verse declares Avimukta (Kashi) as the supreme kṣetra where Śiva’s liberating grace is especially accessible; dying there is described as uniquely conducive to mokṣa, surpassing even famed tīrthas like Naimiṣa.
Avimukta is revered as a place ‘never abandoned’ by Śiva, emphasizing Saguna Śiva’s compassionate presence in a specific sacred geography; Linga-worship and pilgrimage there are understood as direct approaches to Śiva’s saving grace.
The practical takeaway is to seek Śiva-sānnidhya through pilgrimage, Linga-darśana, japa of Śiva’s names (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and dying with remembrance of Śiva in Avimukta for liberation.