Shloka 31
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
किं पुनर्निर्ममा धीरासत्त्वस्था दंभवर्जिताः । कृतिनश्च निरारंभास्सर्वे ते मयि भाविताः
kiṃ punarnirmamā dhīrāsattvasthā daṃbhavarjitāḥ | kṛtinaśca nirāraṃbhāssarve te mayi bhāvitāḥ
“How much more so those steady souls who are free from possessiveness, established in purity (sattva), and devoid of hypocrisy—those accomplished ones who act without self-serving enterprise: all of them are inwardly absorbed in Me (Śiva).”
Lord Shiva (as narrated by Suta Goswami in the Kotirudra Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse defines the inner marks of a true Shiva-oriented life: freedom from possessiveness (nirmamatva), steadiness, purity of mind (sattva), and absence of spiritual show (dambha). Such a seeker naturally becomes bhāvita—internally permeated by Shiva—moving toward liberation through sincere devotion and inner clarity.
Linga worship is meant to mature the devotee from external ritual into inner absorption. This verse states that when hypocrisy and ego-driven striving fall away, the devotee becomes truly centered in Shiva—so Saguna practices (like Linga-pūjā) culminate in direct inner remembrance and union-minded devotion.
The implied practice is sincere japa and dhyāna without display—especially Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—paired with ethical purity, humility, and letting go of ‘mine-ness.’ Any use of bhasma or rudrāksha should support inner steadiness rather than social pretence.