Shloka 45
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
आदेहपाताद्यो मर्त्योऽविमुक्तं नैव मुञ्चति । ब्रह्मचर्येण संयुक्तः स साक्षाच्छंकरो भवेत् ॥ ४५ ॥
ādehapātādyo martyo'vimuktaṃ naiva muñcati | brahmacaryeṇa saṃyuktaḥ sa sākṣācchaṃkaro bhavet || 45 ||
От начала и до падения тела смертный, никогда не оставляющий Авимукта (Avimukta), — будучи соединён с брахмачарьей (целомудренным самообузданием), становится, словно бы, самим Шанкарой (Śaṅkara) в явленном облике.
Suta (narrating the Narada Purana’s Uttara-Bhaga; the verse itself speaks as an authoritative statement within the Kashi/Avimukta Mahatmya section)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches that unwavering residence/commitment to Avimukta (Kāśī), coupled with brahmacarya, is so purifying that one attains Śiva-like identity—symbolizing liberation-oriented transformation and nearness to Śaṅkara.
By praising steadfast attachment to Śiva’s sacred kṣetra (Avimukta) and disciplined living, it frames bhakti as loyal kṣetra-sevā and inner restraint—devotion expressed through continuous presence, purity, and single-mindedness.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is directly taught; the practical takeaway is dharma-sādhana—brahmacarya as a regulated vow (vrata-like discipline) supporting tīrtha-based mokṣa practice.