Shloka 9

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य

The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara

Devanagari script

अभ्यस्यंति महायोगं जितात्मानो जितेन्द्रियाः । परं पाशुपतं श्रौतं भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम्

Transliteration

abhyasyaṃti mahāyogaṃ jitātmāno jitendriyāḥ | paraṃ pāśupataṃ śrautaṃ bhuktimuktiphalapradam

Translation

Those who have conquered the mind and mastered the senses diligently practice the Great Yoga—the supreme Pāśupata discipline taught in the Śruti—which bestows the fruits of both worldly enjoyment and final liberation.

Word by Word

• abhyasyanti: they practice
• abhyasyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-as (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (plural)

• mahā-yogam: great yoga
• mahā-yogam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारयसमासः ('great yoga')

• jita-ātmānaḥ: self-controlled (having conquered the self)
• jita-ātmānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक from ji धातु) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिसमासः ('whose self is conquered')

• jita-indriyāḥ: sense-controlled
• jita-indriyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक from ji धातु) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिसमासः ('whose senses are conquered')

• param: supreme
• param: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (singular)

• pāśupatam: Pāśupata (pertaining to Paśupati)
• pāśupatam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāśupata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• śrautam: Vedic; based on śruti
• śrautam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śrauta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam: granting the fruits of enjoyment and liberation
• bhukti-mukti-phala-pradam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhukti (प्रातिपदिक) + mukti (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः ('giver of the fruits of enjoyment and liberation')

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: Within Avimukta, disciplined aspirants practice mahāyoga identified as ‘para pāśupata’ rooted in śruti, aimed at both bhukti and mukti—framing Kāśī as a yogic-soteriological hub.

Significance: Kāśī is presented as conducive to rigorous yoga and Pāśupata observance culminating in liberation; also supports dharmic prosperity for practitioners.

Mantra Metadata

Type: rudram

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that true progress on Śiva’s path begins with mastery of mind and senses, and that the supreme Pāśupata yoga—rooted in sacred revelation—can grant both righteous worldly well-being and the highest goal of liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Pāśupata practice supports Saguna Śiva worship (such as Liṅga-pūjā) by purifying the practitioner; disciplined worship and meditation transform devotion into a liberating relationship with Pati (Śiva), loosening the bonds (pāśa) of the pashu (bound soul).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies steady yoga-abhyāsa with sense-restraint—supported by Śaiva observances such as japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī), meditation on Śiva, and traditional aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa where prescribed.