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

Il était richement paré de charmantes marques semblables à des tilaka, tachetées comme un filet de rayons de lune; et chargé d’amas de fleurs sur des branches vastes et largement déployées : des aśoka rouges luisant comme le sindūra, le kuṅkuma et la teinture de kusumbha, et des karṇikāra éclatant d’une splendeur d’or. Dans une telle beauté sanctifiée, l’esprit du paśu se tourne naturellement vers Pati (Śiva) et la voie du culte de 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.