Shloka 74

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

Devanagari script

मयानीतमिदं लिङ्गं कस्मात् स्थापितवान् असि तमुवाच पुनर् विष्णुर् ब्रह्माणं कुपिताननम्

Transliteration

mayānītamidaṃ liṅgaṃ kasmāt sthāpitavān asi tamuvāca punar viṣṇur brahmāṇaṃ kupitānanam

Translation

“Liṅga ini aku yang membawanya—mengapa engkau pula yang memasangnya?” Demikianlah Viṣṇu berkata lagi kepada Brahmā yang wajahnya menyala kerana murka.

Word by Word

• mayā: by me

• ānītam: brought/borne here

• idam: this

• liṅgam: Liṅga (mark/symbol of Pati, Śiva)

• kasmāt: for what reason/why

• sthāpitavān asi: you have स्थापित/installed

• tam: to him

• uvāca: said/spoke

• punaḥ: again

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• brahmāṇam: to Brahmā

• kupita-ānanam: having an angry face/angry-visaged

Speaker

Suta (narrating); internal dialogue: Vishnu addressing Brahma

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Linga

FAQs

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

It frames the Liṅga as an authoritative, consecrated presence whose installation is not merely personal choice—prompting debate even among cosmic deities, thereby underscoring the Liṅga’s supremacy as the sign of Pati (Śiva).

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

By centering the dispute on the Liṅga—rather than on a limited form—it implies Śiva-tattva as the transcendent Pati indicated by the Liṅga, beyond rivalry and ego (ahaṅkāra) that bind the pashu under pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights linga-sthāpana (installation/consecration) as a key Shaiva practice; yogically, it hints that reverence to the established symbol of Pati stabilizes the pashu’s mind toward liberation rather than contention.