The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
कर्णजाप्यं प्रयच्छन्ति डिमिचंडेश्वरादयः । नाविमुक्ते मृतः कश्चिन्नरकं याति किल्बिषी ॥ ६३ ॥
karṇajāpyaṃ prayacchanti ḍimicaṃḍeśvarādayaḥ | nāvimukte mṛtaḥ kaścinnarakaṃ yāti kilbiṣī || 63 ||
ଡିମିଚଣ୍ଡେଶ୍ୱର ଆଦି ଦେବତାମାନେ କର୍ଣ୍ଣଜାପ୍ୟ ମନ୍ତ୍ର ଦିଅନ୍ତି; ଅବିମୁକ୍ତରେ ମରୁଥିବା ପାପୀ ମଧ୍ୟ ନରକକୁ ଯାଏ ନାହିଁ।
Narada (teaching in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It proclaims Avimukta (Kāśī) as a supreme mokṣa-kṣetra: even a person burdened with sin is protected from hell if death occurs there, due to the saving, ear-whispered mantra bestowed by the sacred presiding powers.
By emphasizing grace at the final moment—through the bestowal of mantra and the sanctity of Kāśī—it highlights reliance on divine protection and sacred remembrance (japa/mantra) as an accessible, bhakti-aligned means to liberation.
Mantra-prayoga (practical application of sacred utterance) is implied: the tradition of karnajapya—confidential mantra instruction at a liminal rite (death)—reflects ritual discipline and correct mantra transmission (linked to śikṣā and kalpa in practice).