Shloka 8
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
अस्मिन्सिद्धास्सदा क्षेत्रे मदीयं व्रतमाश्रिताः । नानालिंगधरा नित्यं मम लोकाभिकांक्षिणः
asminsiddhāssadā kṣetre madīyaṃ vratamāśritāḥ | nānāliṃgadharā nityaṃ mama lokābhikāṃkṣiṇaḥ
In this sacred kṣetra, the siddhas always abide, taking refuge in My vow. Ever bearing various forms of the Liṅga, they constantly long to attain My divine world.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Avimukta is portrayed as a siddha-kṣetra where perfected beings, devoted to Śiva’s observance, remain engaged in liṅga-oriented identity and aspiration toward Śiva-loka.
Significance: Association with siddhas and liṅga-devotion in Kāśī is presented as accelerating spiritual maturation toward Śiva’s realm and ultimately mokṣa.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that a consecrated kṣetra becomes a living field of liberation where perfected devotees (siddhas) remain established in Shiva’s discipline (vrata), and that such steadfast devotion culminates in attaining Shiva’s own realm (Shiva-loka), aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s goal of grace-led liberation.
By describing siddhas as “bearing various Liṅgas,” the verse affirms Saguna worship through the Liṅga as a direct, sanctified support for meditation and devotion—an emblem through which the devotee approaches the transcendent Shiva while remaining grounded in a sacred form.
It implies observance of Shiva’s vrata in a holy kṣetra—regular Liṅga-pūjā with disciplined conduct, mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and steady intention toward Shiva-loka as the fruit of worship.