Shloka 37
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
सर्वात्मना तपः सत्यं प्राणिनां नात्र संशयः । अविमुक्तेवसेद्यस्तु स तु साक्षान्महेश्वरः ॥ ३७ ॥
sarvātmanā tapaḥ satyaṃ prāṇināṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ | avimuktevasedyastu sa tu sākṣānmaheśvaraḥ || 37 ||
Bagi makhluk hidup, pertapaan yang dilakukan dengan sepenuh jiwa sememangnya berkesan, tidak diragukan lagi. Tetapi sesiapa yang tinggal di Avimukta adalah, sesungguhnya, Maheshvara Sendiri dalam bentuk nyata.
Suta (narrating the Avimukta Mahatmya within the Narada Purana tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It elevates Avimukta (Kāśī) as a uniquely liberating tirtha: while wholehearted tapas is affirmed as powerful for all beings, residence in Avimukta is portrayed as direct proximity to Maheshvara—equal to encountering Śiva manifestly.
By identifying the Avimukta-dweller with Maheshvara, the verse emphasizes place-centered devotion (kshetra-bhakti): living with reverence in Śiva’s sacred domain becomes a devotional act that brings the devotee into immediate relationship with the deity.
No specific Vedanga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Chandas, Nirukta, Jyotiṣa, Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway aligns with Kalpa-style dharma: the discipline of tapas and the observance of tirtha-residence (kshetra-vāsa) as a recognized religious practice.