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

ಓ ದೇವಿ, ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕೂಡ ನಾನು ಸ್ವಯಂ ‘ವೃಷಧ್ವಜ’ ಎಂದು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತೇನೆ. ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಸಾನ್ನಿಧ್ಯವನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ; ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನಾನು ಸದಾ ನಿನಗೆ ದರ್ಶನವಾಗುತ್ತೇನೆ.

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.