Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

क्षेत्रस्यास्य च माहात्म्यम् अविमुक्तस्य शोभनम् विस्तरेण यथान्यायं श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि नः

Transliteration

kṣetrasyāsya ca māhātmyam avimuktasya śobhanam vistareṇa yathānyāyaṃ śrotuṃ kautūhalaṃ hi naḥ

Translation

Kami berhasrat untuk mendengar—mengikut tertib yang wajar dan dengan perincian yang lengkap—keagungan yang indah bagi kṣetra suci ini, Avimukta, tempat Pati (Śiva) tidak pernah meninggalkan, dan para paśu (jiwa terikat) memperoleh pembebasan daripada pāśa (ikatan).

Word by Word

• क्षेत्रस्य (kṣetrasya): of the sacred field/holy place

• अस्य (asya): of this

• च (ca): and

• माहात्म्यम् (māhātmyam): greatness, sacred glory

• अविमुक्तस्य (avimuktasya): of Avimukta (the Never-Forsaken sacred kṣetra, associated with Śiva)

• शोभनम् (śobhanam): splendid, auspicious, beautiful

• विस्तरेण (vistareṇa): in detail, at length

• यथा-न्यायम् (yathā-nyāyam): according to proper method/order, as is fitting

• श्रोतुम् (śrotum): to hear

• कौतूहलम् (kautūhalam): curiosity, eager interest

• हि (hi): indeed

• नः (naḥ): for us/our

Speaker

Sages at Naimisharanya (inquiring of Suta Goswami)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It introduces the kṣetra-māhātmya of Avimukta, directing devotion toward Śiva’s ever-present sacred realm where worship and remembrance of the Lord are understood to weaken pāśa (bondage) and support liberation.

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

By highlighting Avimukta as “never forsaken,” it implies Śiva as Pati—steadfast, accessible through sacred space and right order (yathā-nyāya), guiding the paśu beyond bondage.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes śravaṇa (reverent listening) in proper sequence as a preparatory discipline; in Shaiva practice this supports kṣetra-sevā, tīrtha-oriented worship, and the inner orientation aligned with Pāśupata-style liberation aims.