Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

क्षेत्रस्यास्य च माहात्म्यम् अविमुक्तस्य शोभनम् विस्तरेण यथान्यायं श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि नः

Transliteration

kṣetrasyāsya ca māhātmyam avimuktasya śobhanam vistareṇa yathānyāyaṃ śrotuṃ kautūhalaṃ hi naḥ

Translation

私たちは、正しい順序に従い、余すところなく詳しく、この聖なるクシェートラ「アヴィムクタ」の麗しき大いなる功徳を聞きたい。そこでは主宰パティ（シヴァ）が決して離れず、縛られた魂パシュ（paśu）が束縛パーシャ（pāśa）から解脱を得る。

Word by Word

• क्षेत्रस्य (kṣetrasya): of the sacred field/holy place

• अस्य (asya): of this

• च (ca): and

• माहात्म्यम् (māhātmyam): greatness, sacred glory

• अविमुक्तस्य (avimuktasya): of Avimukta (the Never-Forsaken sacred kṣetra, associated with Śiva)

• शोभनम् (śobhanam): splendid, auspicious, beautiful

• विस्तरेण (vistareṇa): in detail, at length

• यथा-न्यायम् (yathā-nyāyam): according to proper method/order, as is fitting

• श्रोतुम् (śrotum): to hear

• कौतूहलम् (kautūhalam): curiosity, eager interest

• हि (hi): indeed

• नः (naḥ): for us/our

Speaker

Sages at Naimisharanya (inquiring of Suta Goswami)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It introduces the kṣetra-māhātmya of Avimukta, directing devotion toward Śiva’s ever-present sacred realm where worship and remembrance of the Lord are understood to weaken pāśa (bondage) and support liberation.

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

By highlighting Avimukta as “never forsaken,” it implies Śiva as Pati—steadfast, accessible through sacred space and right order (yathā-nyāya), guiding the paśu beyond bondage.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes śravaṇa (reverent listening) in proper sequence as a preparatory discipline; in Shaiva practice this supports kṣetra-sevā, tīrtha-oriented worship, and the inner orientation aligned with Pāśupata-style liberation aims.