Shloka 3
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
कदाचित्पार्वती देवी शङ्करं परया मुदा । लोककामनयापृच्छन्माहात्म्यमविमुक्तयोः
kadācitpārvatī devī śaṅkaraṃ parayā mudā | lokakāmanayāpṛcchanmāhātmyamavimuktayoḥ
कदाचित् परमानन्दमुदिता देवी पार्वती लोकहितकामनया शङ्करं पप्रच्छ—अविमुक्तक्षेत्रयोः माहात्म्यम्।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages; reporting Parvati’s inquiry to Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The frame shifts to the archetypal inquiry: Pārvatī asks Śaṅkara about Avimukta’s greatness for loka-hita, establishing the divine authorization for Kāśī’s salvific status under Viśveśvara.
Significance: Avimukta is presented as a compassion-driven teaching topic: knowledge of the kṣetra’s power is meant to guide beings toward liberation and right aspiration.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It frames Avimukta as a uniquely grace-filled Shaiva sacred space and shows Parvati’s compassionate role in bringing Shiva’s teaching to seekers for worldly welfare and liberation.
By approaching Shiva as Śaṅkara (Saguna Lord who bestows boons and moksha), the verse introduces a tirtha-mahātmya context where devotion, pilgrimage, and Shiva’s presence (often through Linga worship) become direct means to receive his saving grace.
The practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s kshetra with devotion—supporting practices like japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Linga-pūjā, and tirtha-sevā as preparatory disciplines for receiving Shiva’s liberating instruction.