Shloka 20
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
मम क्षेत्रे मोक्षदे हि यो वा वसति मानवः । यथा तथा मृतः स्याच्चेन्मोक्षमाप्नोति निश्चितम्
mama kṣetre mokṣade hi yo vā vasati mānavaḥ | yathā tathā mṛtaḥ syāccenmokṣamāpnoti niścitam
ผู้ใดพำนักอยู่ในกษेत्रของเราอันประทานโมกษะ ไม่ว่าเขาจะตายด้วยวิธีใด ย่อมบรรลุโมกษะอย่างแน่นอน
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s own vow: residence in ‘my mokṣada-kṣetra’ guarantees mokṣa regardless of the manner of death. This is the strongest form of kṣetra-māhātmya—Śiva as Pati directly assumes responsibility for the paśu’s release from pāśa.
Significance: Establishes the kṣetra as a ‘mukti-kṣetra’: living there (vāsa) and dying there (maraṇa) are both salvific; supports pilgrimage, settlement, and performance of last rites in the area.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse proclaims Shiva’s kṣetra as inherently mokṣa-bestowing: residence there, supported by Shiva’s grace (anugraha), overrides the ordinary limitations of karma at death and leads the soul toward liberation under Pati (Shiva).
In Kotirudrasaṃhitā the kṣetra is typically anchored by a Jyotirliṅga presence; dwelling there implies living in proximity to Saguna Shiva’s manifest sanctity, where darśana, pūjā, and remembrance mature into liberating devotion.
The practical takeaway is kṣetra-vāsa with regular liṅga-pūjā and Shiva-smaraṇa; pilgrims commonly support this with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and observances like bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa as aids to steady devotion.