Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8
अवभृथस्नान-तीर्थयात्रा-तेजोदर्शनम् | Avabhṛtha Bath, Tīrtha-Pilgrimage, and the Vision of Divine Radiance
अविमुक्तेश्वरं लिंगं दृष्ट्वाभ्यर्च्य विधानतः । प्रयातुमुद्यतास्तत्र ददृशुर्दिवि भास्वरम्
avimukteśvaraṃ liṃgaṃ dṛṣṭvābhyarcya vidhānataḥ | prayātumudyatāstatra dadṛśurdivi bhāsvaram
ครั้นได้เห็นลึงค์อวิมุกเตศวร และบูชาตามพิธีที่กำหนดแล้ว เมื่อกำลังเตรียมออกจากสถานที่นั้น ก็ได้แลเห็นสิ่งหนึ่งสว่างไสวรุ่งโรจน์อยู่บนท้องฟ้า
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Avimukta (Kāśī) is the never-abandoned kṣetra of Śiva; the Avimukteśvara/Viśveśvara Liṅga grants liberation and is famed for Śiva’s saving presence at the time of death (tāraka-upadeśa motif).
Significance: Darśana and arcana at Avimukteśvara in Kāśī are held to confer pāpa-kṣaya and mokṣa-prāpti, especially for those who die or perform antyeṣṭi rites in the kṣetra.
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: A sudden celestial epiphany (divi bhāsvaram) following ritual worship, suggestive of a grace-sign (anugraha-lakṣaṇa).
FAQs
The verse highlights that darśana (beholding) and vidhi-pūjā (rule-based worship) of Śiva’s Liṅga at Avimukta/Kāśī purifies the seeker and prepares the mind for a higher revelation—symbolized by the radiant appearance in the sky—pointing toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha) that loosens pāśa (bondage).
Avimukteśvara is worshipped as Saguna Śiva through the Liṅga, where disciplined ritual (vidhāna) channels devotion and attention. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, such worship supports inner refinement so the devotee becomes fit to receive Śiva’s guidance and liberating grace.
It suggests performing Liṅga-pūjā ‘according to injunction’—cleanliness, offerings, and focused reverence—ideally accompanied by japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative attention after worship, remaining receptive to signs of divine anugraha.