Shloka 4
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
पार्वत्युवाच । अस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं वक्तुमर्हस्य शेषतः । ममोपरि कृपां कृत्वा लोकानां हितकाम्यया
pārvatyuvāca | asya kṣetrasya māhātmyaṃ vaktumarhasya śeṣataḥ | mamopari kṛpāṃ kṛtvā lokānāṃ hitakāmyayā
Pārvatī said: “You should describe in full, leaving nothing out, the sacred greatness of this holy place. Showing compassion to me, speak it completely for the welfare of all worlds.”
Parvati
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Pārvatī requests a complete (aśeṣataḥ) exposition of the kṣetra-māhātmya, framing Kāśī/Avimukta as a teaching meant for universal welfare—an explicit rationale for revealing the kṣetra’s liberating power.
Significance: Positions the māhātmya as śāstra-like instruction: hearing it with faith is part of the salvific economy of Kāśī, guiding pilgrims toward Viśveśvara and the Avimukta ideal.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse frames kṣetra-māhātmya as compassionate instruction meant for universal welfare—hearing the glory of Shiva’s sacred places nurtures bhakti and supports liberation-oriented living.
In the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā, the glory of a kṣetra typically culminates in the presence and worship of Shiva as the Jyotirliṅga (Saguna manifestation), where devotion, darśana, and praise become direct means to grace.
The takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) of kṣetra-māhātmya as a practice; it is commonly paired with Jyotirliṅga darśana, japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and simple pilgrimage disciplines done for loka-hita.