Shloka 48
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
काशीं प्राप्य नरो यस्तु गंगायां स्नानमाचरेत् । तदा च क्रियमाणस्य संचितस्यापि संक्षयः
kāśīṃ prāpya naro yastu gaṃgāyāṃ snānamācaret | tadā ca kriyamāṇasya saṃcitasyāpi saṃkṣayaḥ
But the person who, having reached Kāśī, bathes in the Gaṅgā—then even the sins presently being accrued and those already accumulated are brought to destruction.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Kotirudrasaṃhitā pilgrimage discourse)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Viṣṇu (null)
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In Kāśī, Gaṅgā-snāna is praised as a powerful auxiliary to Viśveśvara’s kṣetra-grace, said to diminish sañcita and even presently accruing pāpa.
Significance: Purification (pāpa-kṣaya) and readiness for Śiva’s liberating anugraha; reinforces Kāśī as the supreme tīrtha.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It proclaims the purifying power of Kāśī and the Gaṅgā: bathing there destroys both accumulated (sañcita) and presently accruing impurities, supporting the Shaiva view that sacred places tied to Shiva’s grace accelerate purification and readiness for liberation.
Kotirudra-saṃhitā emphasizes tīrtha and Jyotirliṅga pilgrimage; Gaṅgā-snāna at Kāśī is presented as a preparatory rite that cleanses the devotee so Liṅga-worship to Saguna Shiva becomes more potent and inwardly aligned with Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
Perform Gaṅgā-snāna upon reaching Kāśī, then continue with Shaiva purification and devotion—such as japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and if undertaken, Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa observances as supporting disciplines.