Shloka 57
The Greatness of Kāśī (Avimukta): Pilgrimage Calendar, Yātrā-Dharma, and the Network of Śiva-Liṅgas
न पुनर्दुर्गतिं याति दृष्ट्वैनममरेश्वरम् । हिमवत्स्थापितं लिंगं शैलेश्वरमिति स्थितम् ॥ ५७ ॥
na punardurgatiṃ yāti dṛṣṭvainamamareśvaram | himavatsthāpitaṃ liṃgaṃ śaileśvaramiti sthitam || 57 ||
ഈ ദേവേശ്വരനെ ദർശിച്ചാൽ വീണ്ടും ദുര്ഗതിയിലേക്കു പോകുകയില്ല. ഹിമവത്തിൽ സ്ഥാപിതമായ ഈ ലിംഗം ‘ശൈലേശ്വരൻ’ എന്ന പേരിൽ പ്രസിദ്ധമാണ്.
Narada (as narrator in a Tirtha-Mahatmya passage of Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)
FAQs
The verse states the darśana-phala (fruit of sacred seeing): beholding the Himalayan Śaileśvara Liṅga—Śiva as ‘Lord of the gods’—prevents one from falling into durgati (a degraded or painful destiny), implying purification and uplift toward auspicious rebirth and liberation.
It highlights bhakti through darśana: sincere reverent sight of Śiva at a consecrated liṅga in a tirtha is treated as a potent devotional act that transforms karma, emphasizing faith-filled encounter (darśana) as a direct means of grace.
Primarily Kalpa (ritual application): the verse reflects tirtha-mahātmya logic used in pilgrimage manuals—identifying a specific sacred form (Śaileśvara Liṅga), its location (Himavat), and the prescribed benefit (darśana-phala) that guides ritual travel and worship.