Shloka 6
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
परमेश्वर उवाच । साधु पृष्टं त्वया भद्रे लोकानां सुखदं शुभम् । कथयामि यथार्थं वै महा त्म्यमविमुक्तयोः
parameśvara uvāca | sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ tvayā bhadre lokānāṃ sukhadaṃ śubham | kathayāmi yathārthaṃ vai mahā tmyamavimuktayoḥ
പരമേശ്വരൻ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു—ഹേ ഭദ്രേ, നീ നല്ല ചോദ്യം ചോദിച്ചു; അത് ലോകങ്ങൾക്ക് ശുഭവും സുഖദായകവും. ഇനി ഞാൻ സത്യാനുസാരമായി അവിമുക്തത്തിന്റെ യഥാർത്ഥ മഹാത്മ്യം പറയുന്നു।
Lord Shiva (Parameshvara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva begins the Kashi-māhātmya by declaring Avimukta (Kāśī) as His never-abandoned kṣetra, where His grace is especially accessible and liberation is assured to the qualified devotee.
Significance: Śravaṇa of Kāśī-māhātmya and darśana in Avimukta are framed as direct supports for mokṣa through Śiva’s anugraha.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
Shiva affirms that inquiry into Avimukta (Kashi)—the kshetra never forsaken by the Lord—is universally auspicious and leads beings toward welfare and liberation, because it concerns the saving grace (anugraha) of Pati (Shiva) upon bound souls.
By announcing the ‘mahatmya’ of Avimukta, Shiva points devotees to Saguna worship through sacred place and presence—where Shiva’s nearness is approached via pilgrimage, temple/Linga-darshana, and devotion, culminating in inner recognition of Shiva as the liberating Lord.
The verse primarily recommends śravaṇa (devout listening) and smaraṇa (remembrance) of Avimukta’s glory; in practice this is supported by Kashi-centered Shiva-bhakti such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and reverent kshetra-sevā during pilgrimage.