Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 21
Viśveśvara-māhātmya and the Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Emergence of Śiva (Śakti–Puruṣa/Prakṛti Discourse)
अविमुक्तं स्वयं लिंगं स्थापितं परमात्मना । न कदाचित्त्वया त्याज्यमिदं क्षेत्रं ममांशक
avimuktaṃ svayaṃ liṃgaṃ sthāpitaṃ paramātmanā | na kadācittvayā tyājyamidaṃ kṣetraṃ mamāṃśaka
اَوِمُکت کے مقدس کھیتر میں پرماتما نے خود یہ لِنگ قائم فرمایا ہے۔ لہٰذا، اے میرے جزو، تمہیں اس کھیتر کو کبھی بھی ترک نہیں کرنا چاہیے۔
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In Avimukta (Kāśī), the Liṅga is declared ‘svayaṃ-sthāpita’ by the Paramātman—hence the kṣetra is ‘unforsaken’ by Śiva. The command ‘never abandon this field’ establishes Avimukta as Śiva’s perpetual seat of grace and liberation.
Significance: Darśana and worship of the svayaṃ-liṅga in Avimukta is held to grant swift purification and mokṣa; staying within the kṣetra is praised as remaining within Śiva’s protective anugraha.
Role: liberating
Offering: dhupa
Cosmic Event: localization of the transcendent Paramātman as svayaṃ-liṅga—grace made immanent in a kṣetra
FAQs
It declares Avimukta (Kāśī) as a uniquely liberated kṣetra where Śiva’s presence is direct and unwavering, because the Liṅga there is established by the Paramātman Himself—making the place a powerful support for mukti through Śiva-sambandha (bond with Śiva).
The verse emphasizes Saguna worship through the Liṅga as Śiva’s chosen, established form in the world; approaching the Liṅga in Avimukta is presented as approaching Śiva’s living presence, not merely a symbol.
The practical takeaway is steadfast kṣetra-niṣṭhā (devotional commitment to the sacred space) expressed through regular Liṅga-pūjā—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple offerings with bhakti.