Shloka 53
The Greatness of Avimukta (Kāśī/Vārāṇasī) and the Doctrine of Liberation-in-One-Life
महापातकिनो देवि ये तेभ्यः पापकृत्तमाः । वाराणसीं समासाद्य ते यांति परमां गतिम्
mahāpātakino devi ye tebhyaḥ pāpakṛttamāḥ | vārāṇasīṃ samāsādya te yāṃti paramāṃ gatim
Wahai Dewi, bahkan para pelaku dosa besar—malah yang lebih jahat daripada mereka—apabila sampai ke Vārāṇasī, memperoleh keadaan yang tertinggi.
Mahādeva (Śiva)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Sandhi Resolution Notes: महापातकिनो → महापातकिनः (प्रथमा बहुवचन); तस्मिन् श्लोके अन्यः सन्धिः विशेषः न।
FAQs
It extols Vārāṇasī (Kāśī) as a supremely purifying tīrtha, stating that even grave sinners may attain the highest spiritual goal upon reaching it.
“Devi” indicates the Goddess, understood in this dialogue context as Pārvatī, to whom Mahādeva (Śiva) is speaking.
It highlights faith in sacred places and divine grace, but does not endorse wrongdoing; the emphasis is on transformative purification and turning toward the highest good.