Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 105

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

Devanagari script

अविमुक्तेश्वरं लिङ्गं मम दृष्ट्वेह मानवः सद्यः पापविनिर्मुक्तः पशुपाशैर्विमुच्यते

Transliteration

avimukteśvaraṃ liṅgaṃ mama dṛṣṭveha mānavaḥ sadyaḥ pāpavinirmuktaḥ paśupāśairvimucyate

Translation

Ang sinumang tao na tumingin dito sa Aking Avimukteśvara Liṅga ay agad na napapawi ang kasalanan at napapalaya mula sa pāśa—ang mga gapos na bumibigkis sa paśu (kaluluwang indibidwal).

Word by Word

• अविमुक्तेश्वरम्: Avimukteśvara (the Lord of Avimukta/Kāśī)

• लिङ्गम्: the Liṅga (Śiva’s aniconic emblem)

• मम: My

• दृष्ट्व: having seen/beheld

• इह: here (in this sacred place/realm)

• मानवः: a human being

• सद्यः: immediately

• पाप-विनिर्मुक्तः: completely freed from sin

• पशु-पाशैः: from the bonds (pāśas) of the paśu (bound soul)

• विमुच्यते: is liberated/released

Speaker

Shiva (within Suta’s narration to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Avimukteshvara

FAQs

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

It teaches that even darśana (beholding) of the Avimukteśvara Liṅga is a direct, grace-filled means that destroys pāpa and loosens the soul’s bondage—showing Liṅga as a living locus of Śiva’s liberating presence.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the sovereign liberator—who can immediately sever the paśu’s pāśas (bondage). Liberation is presented as arising primarily from Śiva’s anugraha (grace), not merely from human effort.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The practice emphasized is Liṅga-darśana within a sacred kṣetra (Avimukta/Kāśī), a core element of Śaiva pilgrimage and Liṅga-upāsanā; it aligns with Pāśupata orientation where bondage (pāśa) is cut by devotion and Śiva’s grace.