Shloka 29

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

चन्द्रांशुजालशबलैस् तिलकैर् मनोज्ञैः सिन्दूरकुङ्कुमकुसुम्भनिभैर् अशोकैः चामीकरद्युतिसमैरथ कर्णिकारैः पुष्पोत्करैरुपचितं सुविशालशाखैः

Transliteration

candrāṃśujālaśabalais tilakair manojñaiḥ sindūrakuṅkumakusumbhanibhair aśokaiḥ cāmīkaradyutisamairatha karṇikāraiḥ puṣpotkarairupacitaṃ suviśālaśākhaiḥ

Translation

Estaba ricamente adornado con encantadoras marcas a modo de tilaka, moteadas como una red de rayos de luna; y colmado de masas de flores sobre ramas vastas y extendidas: aśokas rojos que resplandecían como sindūra, kuṅkuma y tinte de kusumbha, y karṇikāras que brillaban con fulgor de oro. En tal belleza santificada, la mente del paśu se vuelve de suyo hacia Pati (Śiva) y la senda del culto a Śiva.

Word by Word

• चन्द्र-अंशु-जाल-शबलैः: variegated like a network of moon-rays

• तिलकैः: with tilaka-marks/ornamental streaks

• मनोज्ञैः: delightful, pleasing

• सिन्दूर: vermilion

• कुङ्कुम: saffron

• कुसुम्भ: kusumbha dye (safflower-red)

• निभैः: resembling, like

• अशोकैः: with Aśoka blossoms/trees

• चामीकर-द्युति-समैः: equal to the radiance of gold

• अथ: and then/also

• कर्णिकारैः: with Karṇikāra blossoms (golden flowers)

• पुष्प-उत्करैः: heaps/masses of flowers

• उपचितम्: filled up, piled, richly covered

• सु-विशाल-शाखैः: with very broad, expansive branches

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

The verse sacralizes the worship-environment: fragrant, luminous flowers and expansive branches indicate a purified kṣetra where the mind becomes fit for liṅga-pūjā—moving the paśu from sensory attraction toward devotion to Pati (Śiva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is implied as the supreme purifier whose presence is mirrored by moonlike coolness, golden radiance, and auspicious markings—symbols of sattva and śuddhi that loosen pāśa (bondage) by directing awareness toward the Lord.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It points to pūjā-vidhi through upacāras—especially puṣpa-offering and creating a sanctified setting—supporting inner recollection (smaraṇa) that aligns with Pāśupata discipline: turning the bound soul from distraction to Śiva-centered contemplation.