Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

स्नानात्संसेवनाद्वापि न मोक्षः प्राप्यते यतः इह सम्प्राप्यते येन तत एतद्विशिष्यते

Transliteration

snānātsaṃsevanādvāpi na mokṣaḥ prāpyate yataḥ iha samprāpyate yena tata etadviśiṣyate

Translation

La délivrance ne s’obtient pas par le seul bain rituel ni par le service extérieur. Est déclaré supérieur uniquement ce par quoi l’on réalise ici même, à l’instant, le Suprême : par le Pati, le Seigneur Śiva, dispensateur de grâce.

Word by Word

• स्नानात्: from bathing

• संसेवनात्: from (mere) service/attendance

• वा अपि: or even

• न: not

• मोक्षः: liberation

• प्राप्यते: is attained

• यतः: because/for

• इह: here (in this very life)

• सम्प्राप्यते: is truly attained/realized

• येन: by which/through which

• ततः: therefore

• एतत्: this (means/teaching)

• विशिष्यते: is distinguished as superior/excellent

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya; presenting a doctrinal conclusion about moksha-sadhana)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It prioritizes inner realization and Shiva’s anugraha over mere external purity acts, implying that Linga-puja must culminate in devotion, knowledge, and surrender to Pati—not ritual alone.

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

Shiva is implied as Pati, the liberating Lord whose grace enables direct attainment “here” (iha); moksha is not a mechanical product of actions but the fruit of contact with Shiva-tattva through right means.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It cautions against relying only on external rites like snana and formal service, pointing instead to the Pashupata-oriented path of inner discipline, devotion, and grace-centered realization.