Shloka 50
The Greatness of Avimukta (Kāśī/Vārāṇasī) and the Doctrine of Liberation-in-One-Life
वरणायास्तथा चास्या मध्ये वाराणसीपुरी । तत्रैव संस्थितं तत्त्वं नित्यमेवंविमुक्तकम्
varaṇāyāstathā cāsyā madhye vārāṇasīpurī | tatraiva saṃsthitaṃ tattvaṃ nityamevaṃvimuktakam
Dan di tengah sungai Varaṇā terletak kota Vārāṇasī; di sanalah Hakikat itu ditegakkan—untuk selama-lamanya—dan demikianlah ia menjadi dham pembebasan yang kekal.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; commonly framed in Padma Purāṇa dialogues such as Pulastya instructing Bhīṣma, but not explicit from this single verse).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Sandhi Resolution Notes: varaṇāyāstathā cāsyā → varaṇāyāḥ tathā ca asyāḥ; tatraiva → tatra eva; nityamevaṃvimuktakam → nityam evaṃ vimuktakam
FAQs
It locates Vārāṇasī in relation to the river Varaṇā, presenting the city as a sanctified space defined by its holy topography and riverine setting.
It states that “tattva” (ultimate Reality/true principle) is abiding there eternally, implying that the place uniquely discloses or supports realization of the highest truth.
The verse encourages reverence for tīrtha (sacred places) and suggests that pilgrimage and spiritual practice in such a setting are oriented toward inner liberation (mokṣa), not merely external merit.