Shloka 4
Śiva–Hari–Rudra–Vidhīnāṃ Tattva-nirṇayaḥ
Identity of Śiva, Viṣṇu, Rudra, and Brahmā; Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Reconciliation
पञ्चकोशीति विख्याता काशी सर्वातिवल्लभा । व्याप्तं च सकलं ह्येतत्तज्जलं विश्वतो गतम्
pañcakośīti vikhyātā kāśī sarvātivallabhā | vyāptaṃ ca sakalaṃ hyetattajjalaṃ viśvato gatam
പഞ്ചകോശീ എന്ന പേരിൽ പ്രസിദ്ധമായ കാശി സർവ്വത്തിലും അതിപ്രിയമാണ്. ഈ സമസ്ത പ്രദേശവും ശിവപാവനതയിൽ വ്യാപ്തമാണ്; ഇവിടെത്തെ തീർത്ഥജലം സർവ്വദിക്കുകളിലേക്കും പടർന്ന് ലോകമൊട്ടാകെ എത്തുന്നു.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is praised as Śiva’s most प्रिय क्षेत्र; the Pañcakośī-kṣetra is described as pervaded by Śiva’s sanctity, with its tīrtha-waters and merit radiating universally—an idiom for the inexhaustible kṣetra-māhātmya of Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha.
Significance: Pañcakośī-yātrā and Kāśī-vāsa are extolled as exceptionally grace-bearing: purification of pāśa (bondage), intensification of bhakti, and eligibility for Śiva’s anugraha (often framed as liberation in Kāśī).
Type: stotra
FAQs
It proclaims Kāśī as the Pañcakośī—Śiva’s most cherished sacred field—whose sanctity pervades the whole region, indicating that contact with Kāśī (and its tīrtha-waters) powerfully supports purification and liberation-oriented devotion to Pati (Śiva).
By praising Kāśī’s all-pervading holiness and its waters’ far-reaching merit, the verse frames Kāśī as a prime kṣetra for Saguna Śiva worship—especially Linga-darśana, abhiṣeka, and tīrtha-sevā—where Śiva’s grace is considered readily accessible.
Undertake Pañcakośī-yātrā with Linga-darśana and abhiṣeka using tīrtha-water, while maintaining japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and a devotional, purity-focused discipline.