Shloka 28
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
सायुज्यमात्मनः पश्चादीप्सितं स्थानमेव च । न कुतश्चित्कर्मबंधस्त्यजतामत्र वै तनुम्
sāyujyamātmanaḥ paścādīpsitaṃ sthānameva ca | na kutaścitkarmabaṃdhastyajatāmatra vai tanum
Thereafter, they attain sāyujya—union with the Lord—and indeed reach the desired supreme abode; for those who cast off the body here, no bondage of karma arises from any quarter.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is portrayed as the mokṣa-kṣetra where death (body-casting) results in sāyujya and freedom from further karma-bandha; Śiva’s special salvific function in Kāśī overrides ordinary transmigratory causality.
Significance: Dying in Kāśī is extolled as leading to liberation (sāyujya/parama-sthāna) and cessation of karmic bondage—central to Kāśī-māhātmya traditions.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It declares the kṣetra-māhātmya of Shiva’s sacred abode: dying there under Shiva’s grace leads to sāyujya (liberative union) and prevents further karmic bondage, emphasizing Shiva as Pati (the liberator) who cuts the pāśa (fetters).
In the Kotirudra context, the promise is tied to living contact with Saguna Shiva through the Jyotirlinga-kshetra; devotion and surrender at the Linga invites Shiva’s anugraha (grace), culminating in entry to Shiva’s abode and liberation.
The practical takeaway is pilgrimage and steady Linga-upāsanā—japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering with bhakti, and remembrance of Shiva at life’s end—so that one departs the body in Shiva-consciousness.