Shloka 84

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

देवैः समन्ताद् एतानि लिङ्गानि स्थापितान्यतः दृष्ट्वापि नियतो मर्त्यो देहभेदे गणो भवेत्

Transliteration

devaiḥ samantād etāni liṅgāni sthāpitānyataḥ dṛṣṭvāpi niyato martyo dehabhede gaṇo bhavet

Translation

เพราะฉะนั้นเหล่าเทวะได้ประดิษฐานลึงค์เหล่านี้ไว้โดยรอบทุกทิศ แม้มนุษย์ผู้มีศรัทธาอย่างมีวินัย เพียงได้เห็น ก็เมื่อกายแตกดับ (มรณา) ย่อมเป็น ‘คณะ’ ผู้ติดตามในบริวารพระศิวะ

Word by Word

• देवैः: by the Devas

• समन्तात्: on all sides/everywhere

• एतानि: these

• लिङ्गानि: Liṅgas (Śiva-emblems)

• स्थापितानि: installed/established

• अतः: therefore/for this reason

• दृष्ट्वा अपि: even by seeing/though merely beholding

• नियतः: restrained, disciplined, devout

• मर्त्यः: mortal human

• देहभेदे: at the separation/breaking of the body (at death)

• गणः: a Gaṇa (Śiva’s attendant)

• भवेत्: becomes/should become

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga-sthapana narrative to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Shiva
• Linga
• Ganas

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It elevates Liṅga-darśana (beholding the installed Liṅga) as a powerful Shaiva act: when done with niyama (disciplined devotion), it yields post-mortem proximity to Pati—becoming a Gaṇa in Śiva’s divine retinue.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is implied as supremely gracious: Pati accepts even simple contact through the Liṅga (darśana) and uplifts the pashu beyond ordinary rebirth into service and nearness within Śiva’s gaṇa-mandala.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights niyama-yukta darśana—regulated, vow-informed devotion (a Pāśupata-aligned discipline) centered on sacred sites where Devas established Liṅgas, emphasizing purity, restraint, and focused reverence.