Shloka 12
Kāṣṭhīla-Upākhyāna: Rākṣasī, Spear-Śakti, and Kāśī as Śakti-kṣetra
भार्यार्थे समुपानीता वाराणस्या द्विजोत्तम । यस्याः सीमां न लंघंति पातकानि ह्यशेषतः ॥ १२ ॥
bhāryārthe samupānītā vārāṇasyā dvijottama | yasyāḥ sīmāṃ na laṃghaṃti pātakāni hyaśeṣataḥ || 12 ||
हे द्विजश्रेष्ठा, पत्नीप्राप्तीसाठी सुद्धा वाराणसीचा आश्रय घेतला जातो; कारण सर्व पापे तिच्या सीमेचे उल्लंघन करू शकत नाहीत.
Narada
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It proclaims Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) as a uniquely purifying tirtha-kṣetra whose very boundary prevents sins from prevailing, highlighting the kṣetra’s inherent papa-nāśa (sin-destroying) power.
By glorifying a sacred kṣetra, the verse supports bhakti through tirtha-sevā and kṣetra-smaraṇa—approaching holy places with reverence is presented as a devotional means that weakens the hold of pāpa and supports spiritual life.
It implicitly reflects Dharma-śāstra practice around tīrtha-yātrā and kṣetra-māhātmya—how sacred geography (kṣetra-sīmā) is treated as ritually and ethically significant for purification.