Shloka 42
The Greatness of Avimukta (Kāśī/Vārāṇasī) and the Doctrine of Liberation-in-One-Life
ये भक्ता देवदेवेशि वाराणस्यां वसंति वै । ते विंदंति परं मोक्षमेकेनैव तु जन्मना
ye bhaktā devadeveśi vārāṇasyāṃ vasaṃti vai | te viṃdaṃti paraṃ mokṣamekenaiva tu janmanā
देवदेवेशि! ये भक्ता वाराणस्यां वसन्ति, ते एकेनैव जन्मना परं मोक्षं निश्चयेन विन्दन्ति।
Unspecified narrator addressing Devadeveśī (likely Śiva speaking to Pārvatī in a Śiva–Pārvatī dialogue context)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मोक्षमेकेनैव = मोक्षम् + एकेन + एव (म् + ए → मे; स्वर-सन्धि); विंदंति→विन्दन्ति (अनुस्वार-लेखनभेद); देवदेवेशि = देवदेवेशिन् (सम्बोधन-एकवचन, इन्-प्रातिपदिक)।
FAQs
It presents Vārāṇasī as an exceptionally potent sacred place (tīrtha) where devoted residence is said to lead to supreme liberation, even within a single lifetime.
Liberation is linked not to status or ritual complexity here, but to being a bhakta (devotee) whose life is oriented around sacred presence and devotion.
The verse encourages sincere devotional living—valuing holy association, sacred places, and steady spiritual practice—suggesting that committed devotion can rapidly mature into liberation.