Shloka 28
Viśveśvara-māhātmya and the Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Emergence of Śiva (Śakti–Puruṣa/Prakṛti Discourse)
अमरा मरणं सर्वे वांछतीह परे च के । भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदा चैषा सर्वदा शंकरप्रिया
amarā maraṇaṃ sarve vāṃchatīha pare ca ke | bhuktimuktipradā caiṣā sarvadā śaṃkarapriyā
امر دیوتا بھی یہاں اس ‘موت’ کی آرزو کرتے ہیں؛ پھر دوسروں میں کون نہ کرے گا؟ کیونکہ یہ ہمیشہ بھوگ اور مکتی عطا کرتی ہے اور شَنکر کو ازل سے محبوب ہے۔
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Samhita’s Jyotirlinga/pilgrimage glory to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Death in Kāśī is reinterpreted as a salvific passage desired even by devas, because Kāśī—beloved of Śaṅkara—grants both bhukti and mukti; this aligns with the tradition of Śiva bestowing the liberating upadeśa at the final moment in Kāśī’s sphere.
Significance: Affirms Kāśī as bhukti-mukti-kṣetra: prosperity in life and liberation at death; intensifies the kṣetra’s uniqueness by stating devas long for such ‘death’.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It declares that even devas aspire for the rare ‘death’ associated with Shiva’s sacred sphere—because, by Śaṅkara’s grace, it culminates in liberation; thus the tirtha is praised as a direct gateway to mukti while also supporting dharmic bhukti.
In the Kotirudra Samhita, Jyotirlinga-tirthas are Saguna manifestations of Shiva’s compassion; honoring the Linga at such a place aligns the devotee with Śaṅkara’s beloved abode/presence, making both worldly well-being and spiritual release attainable through devotion.
The takeaway is to seek Śiva-tirtha and perform Linga worship with bhakti—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), along with traditional Shaiva observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrāksha, dedicating the fruits to Śaṅkara for mukti.