Shloka 33
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
अत्र लिंगान्यनेकानि भक्तैस्संस्थापितानि हि । सर्वकामप्रदानीह मोक्षदानि च पार्वति
atra liṃgānyanekāni bhaktaissaṃsthāpitāni hi | sarvakāmapradānīha mokṣadāni ca pārvati
Here, O Pārvatī, many Liṅgas have indeed been established and consecrated by devotees. In this very place they grant the fulfillment of all rightful desires, and they also bestow mokṣa (liberation).
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: The verse describes a kṣetra filled with many devotee-installed liṅgas that grant both bhoga (kāma-siddhi) and apavarga (mokṣa), a common tīrtha-mahātmya motif where the site becomes a network of grace-centers.
Significance: Darśana and pūjā of multiple liṅgas in one kṣetra is said to yield both worldly fulfillment (within dharma) and final liberation through Śiva’s favor.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse affirms that consecrated Śiva-liṅgas established with bhakti become powerful seats of grace: they can grant worldly aims (kāma) while also leading the devotee toward the highest aim—mokṣa—through Śiva’s anugraha (liberating grace).
It presents the Liṅga as a tangible, saguna focus for devotion through which the devotee approaches the nirguna-transcendent Śiva. Worship offered to the Liṅga, when done with faith and purity, is described as efficacious for both blessings and liberation.
A key takeaway is liṅga-sevā: स्थापना (consecration) and regular pūjā with mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—supported by traditional Shaiva observances like vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness in devotion.