Shloka 22
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
महत्क्षेत्रमिदं तस्मादविमुक्तमिति स्मृतम् । सर्वेभ्यो नैमिषादिभ्यः परं मोक्षप्रदं मृते
mahatkṣetramidaṃ tasmādavimuktamiti smṛtam | sarvebhyo naimiṣādibhyaḥ paraṃ mokṣapradaṃ mṛte
เพราะฉะนั้น ที่นี่เป็นมหากษेत्र เรียกว่า ‘อวิมุกตะ’ สูงยิ่งกว่าตีรถะทั้งหลายเช่นไนมิษะ และเป็นผู้ประทานโมกษะสูงสุดแก่ผู้สิ้นชีพ ณ ที่นี่
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Kotirudra Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Pashupatinatha
Jyotirlinga: Visvanatha
Sthala Purana: Avimukta (‘never abandoned’) is declared the supreme kṣetra: surpassing famed tīrthas like Naimiṣa, it grants mokṣa specifically to those who die there—implying Śiva’s special salvific act at the moment of death (antakāla-anugraha).
Significance: Antyeṣṭi/antakāla in Kāśī is said to yield liberation; the kṣetra is framed as the highest ‘mokṣa-prada’ among all pilgrimage sites.
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: antakāla (death-moment) as the decisive spiritual event
FAQs
This verse declares Avimukta (Kashi) as the supreme kṣetra where Śiva’s liberating grace is especially accessible; dying there is described as uniquely conducive to mokṣa, surpassing even famed tīrthas like Naimiṣa.
Avimukta is revered as a place ‘never abandoned’ by Śiva, emphasizing Saguna Śiva’s compassionate presence in a specific sacred geography; Linga-worship and pilgrimage there are understood as direct approaches to Śiva’s saving grace.
The practical takeaway is to seek Śiva-sānnidhya through pilgrimage, Linga-darśana, japa of Śiva’s names (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and dying with remembrance of Śiva in Avimukta for liberation.