Shloka 70

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

Devanagari script

अत्रापि स्वयमेवाहं वृषध्वज इति स्मृतः सान्निध्यं कृतवान् देवि सदाहं दृश्यते त्वया

Transliteration

atrāpi svayamevāhaṃ vṛṣadhvaja iti smṛtaḥ sānnidhyaṃ kṛtavān devi sadāhaṃ dṛśyate tvayā

Translation

“Aquí también, oh Devī, Yo mismo soy recordado como Vṛṣadhvaja, Aquel cuyo estandarte lleva al toro. Habiendo establecido aquí Mi propia presencia inmediata (sānnidhya), soy siempre visto por ti.”

Word by Word

• अत्रापि (atrāpi): here also

• स्वयम् (svayam): by myself, personally

• एव (eva): indeed

• अहम् (aham): I

• वृषध्वजः (vṛṣadhvajaḥ): the Bull-bannered Lord (Śiva)

• इति (iti): thus

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): remembered/known

• सान्निध्यम् (sānnidhyam): (divine) proximity, immediate presence

• कृतवान् (kṛtavān): has made/established

• देवि (devi): O Goddess (Pārvatī)

• सदा (sadā): always

• अहम् (aham): I

• दृश्यते (dṛśyate): is seen/appears

• त्वया (tvayā): by you.

Speaker

Shiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

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

It emphasizes sānnidhya—Śiva’s intentionally established, accessible presence—supporting the Shaiva view that linga-pūjā is not mere symbolism but a means for the paśu (soul) to approach Pati through consecrated proximity.

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

Śiva-tattva is presented as self-manifest (svayam), sovereign, and capable of granting direct darśana; the Lord is not compelled by external forces but freely reveals himself, especially to Devī, indicating intimate, ever-present consciousness.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice implied is establishing and invoking sānnidhya—through linga-sthāpana, pūjā, and contemplative darśana—aligning with Pāśupata orientation where the paśu’s bondage (pāśa) loosens by sustained proximity to Pati.