Shloka 124

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

उभयोः पक्षयोर्देवि वाराणस्यामुपास्यते शशिभानूपरागे च कार्तिक्यां च विशेषतः

Transliteration

ubhayoḥ pakṣayordevi vārāṇasyāmupāsyate śaśibhānūparāge ca kārtikyāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ

Translation

Wahai Dewi, di Vārāṇasī hendaklah dipuja (Tuhan Śiva) pada kedua-dua pakṣa (paruh terang dan paruh gelap bulan); dan khususnya pada waktu gerhana Bulan dan Matahari, serta paling utama dalam bulan Kārttika.

Word by Word

• उभयोः: of both

• पक्षयोः: fortnights (śukla and kṛṣṇa pakṣa)

• देवि: O Goddess

• वाराणस्याम्: in Vārāṇasī (Kāśī)

• उपास्यते: is to be worshipped / one should worship

• शशि: Moon

• भानु: Sun

• उपरागे: at eclipse

• च: and

• कार्तिक्यां: in (the month of) Kārttika

• च: and

• विशेषतः: especially / with special emphasis

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating; addressing the Goddess within an embedded dialogue style common to Purana narration)

Characters & Entities

• Parvati
• Shiva
• Varanasi (Kashi)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It prescribes Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) as a prime kṣetra for Śiva-upāsanā and highlights that Linga worship is meritorious throughout both lunar fortnights, with intensified fruit during eclipses and in Kārttika.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By emphasizing uninterrupted worship across all lunar phases and heightened sanctity at cosmic junctions (eclipses), the verse points to Śiva as Pati—transcendent yet accessible—granting grace to the paśu (bound soul) when approached at powerful sacred times and places.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights śiva-upāsanā/linga-pūjā in Kāśī, with vrata-oriented observance in Kārttika and intensified japa, dhyāna, and pūjā during sūrya- and candra-grahaṇa (eclipse) periods.