Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

एतन्मम पुरं दिव्यं गुह्याद्गुह्यतमं महत् ब्रह्मादयो विजानन्ति ये च सिद्धा मुमुक्षवः

Transliteration

etanmama puraṃ divyaṃ guhyādguhyatamaṃ mahat brahmādayo vijānanti ye ca siddhā mumukṣavaḥ

Translation

“Ito ang Aking banal na lungsod—malawak at pinakalihim, higit pang nakatago kaysa sa anumang nakatago. Nalalaman ito ni Brahmā at ng iba pang mga diyos, at ng mga Siddha na ganap at ng mga naghahangad ng mokṣa.”

Word by Word

• etat: this

• mama: my

• puram: city/abode

• divyam: divine

• guhyāt: than the secret

• guhyatamam: most secret

• mahat: great/vast

• brahmādayaḥ: Brahmā and the others (devas)

• vijānanti: know/realize

• ye: who

• ca: and

• siddhāḥ: perfected beings/adepts

• mumukṣavaḥ: seekers of liberation

Speaker

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

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Siddhas

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva’s highest reality as “guhyatama” (most secret), implying that Linga-puja is not merely outer ritual but a gateway to the inner realization of Pati (Shiva) known to siddhas and mumukshus.

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

Shiva speaks as the sovereign Pati whose divine abode is beyond ordinary perception—accessible to Brahmā and realized by siddhas who have transcended pasha (bondage) and seek moksha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse points to the mumukshu-siddha orientation of Pashupata Yoga: inward discipline and Shiva-bhakti that culminate in direct knowing (vijñāna) of Shiva’s hidden reality, with Linga worship serving as the supported focus.