Shloka 57
The Description of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya): Avimukta, Kapālamocana, and Śiva’s Purification
तथेति प्रतिपेदे च क्षीरसागरजाप्रियः । ततः प्रभृति विप्रेंद्र शैवं क्षेत्रं निगद्यते ॥ ५७ ॥
tatheti pratipede ca kṣīrasāgarajāpriyaḥ | tataḥ prabhṛti vipreṃdra śaivaṃ kṣetraṃ nigadyate || 57 ||
“Demikianlah,” jawab Kekasih beliau yang lahir dari Lautan Susu. Sejak saat itu, wahai yang terbaik antara para brāhmaṇa, tempat ini pun disebut sebagai kṣetra Śaiva.
Narada (narrating to the Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
FAQs
It marks the formal sanctification of a location as a Śaiva-kṣetra—showing how divine assent establishes a tirtha’s identity and ongoing ritual authority.
By depicting the Lord (identified through Lakṣmī) approving a Śaiva designation, it supports inclusive bhakti: honoring Śiva’s sacred spaces as part of dharmic devotion rather than sectarian conflict.
The verse reflects Nirukta-style usage of epithets (kṣīrasāgarajāpriyaḥ) and the dharmic principle of kṣetra-nāma/saṁjñā (how a place is authoritatively named and classified for pilgrimage and rites).