Shloka 11
The Greatness of Kāśī (Kāśī-māhātmya) and Avimukta’s Liberative Power
यः सेवतेऽनिशं काशीं मुक्तिदां वैष्णवीं पुरीम् । याचयित्वा हरेः क्षेत्रं स्थितो देवः सनातनः ॥ ११ ॥
yaḥ sevate'niśaṃ kāśīṃ muktidāṃ vaiṣṇavīṃ purīm | yācayitvā hareḥ kṣetraṃ sthito devaḥ sanātanaḥ || 11 ||
Sinumang walang tigil na naglilingkod sa Kāśī—ang banal na lungsod na Vaiṣṇava na nagbibigay ng kalayaan (moksha)—ay dahil ang Walang Hanggang Diyos, matapos hilinging maging banal na nasasakupan ni Hari, ay nananahan doon.
Narada (teaching in the Kashi Mahatmya context, traditionally within Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framing)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)
Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)
FAQs
It declares Kāśī as a Vaiṣṇava mokṣa-purī: sustained service to Kāśī is spiritually potent because it is affirmed as Hari’s own kṣetra where the Eternal Lord is established, making liberation a natural fruit of devotion there.
Bhakti is expressed as continuous sevā (’niśaṃ sevate)—steady worshipful service directed to a sacred place identified with Hari; the verse links pilgrimage and place-based devotion to direct relationship with Viṣṇu (Hari-kṣetra).
Primarily kṣetra-dharma (rules and sacred geography of tīrthas) rather than a technical Vedāṅga; the practical takeaway is the Purāṇic application of dharma through tīrtha-sevā—regular worship, residence, and pilgrimage discipline in Hari’s kṣetra.