Shloka 1
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
ऋषय ऊचुः । एवं वाराणसी पुण्या यदि सूत महापुरी । तत्प्रभावं वदास्माकमविमुक्तस्य च प्रभो
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | evaṃ vārāṇasī puṇyā yadi sūta mahāpurī | tatprabhāvaṃ vadāsmākamavimuktasya ca prabho
เหล่าฤๅษีกล่าวว่า “โอ้สุูตะ หากพาราณสีเป็นมหานครอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์จริงไซร้ โปรดกล่าวมหิมาของนางแก่พวกเรา และข้าแต่ผู้เป็นที่เคารพ โปรดบอกฤทธานุภาพทิพย์แห่งอวิมุกตะด้วย”
The sages of Naimisharanya (addressing Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The sages inquire about Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) and Avimukta—Śiva’s ‘never-abandoned’ kṣetra—whose mere remembrance and residence are said to confer liberation; this sets up the Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha māhātmya narrative.
Significance: Śravaṇa of Kāśī–Avimukta māhātmya and pilgrimage are framed as upāya toward mukti; Avimukta is treated as a privileged locus of Śiva’s anugraha where bondage is loosened for the paśu.
Type: stotra
FAQs
This verse opens an inquiry into Kashi (Varanasi) as Avimukta—Shiva’s never-abandoned realm—highlighting that liberation is closely tied to Shiva’s grace and the sanctity of His kshetra.
By asking about the ‘power’ of Avimukta, the sages point toward Saguna Shiva’s manifest presence in a sacred place—where Linga worship, pilgrimage, and remembrance of Shiva are taught as direct supports for purification and moksha.
The practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s grace through kshetra-smaraṇa (remembrance of Kashi/Avimukta), pilgrimage when possible, and steady Shiva-upāsanā such as japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).