Shloka 2
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
सूत उवाच । वक्ष्ये संक्षेपतस्सम्यग्वाराणस्यास्सुशोभनम् । विश्वेश्वरस्य माहात्म्यं श्रूयतां च मुनीश्वराः
sūta uvāca | vakṣye saṃkṣepatassamyagvārāṇasyāssuśobhanam | viśveśvarasya māhātmyaṃ śrūyatāṃ ca munīśvarāḥ
سوت نے کہا—میں وارانسی کی نہایت دلکش عظمت کو اختصار کے ساتھ درست طور پر بیان کروں گا۔ اے مُنیوں کے سردارو! وِشوَیشور (بھگوان شِو) کے ماہاتمیہ کو بھی سنو۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Sūta announces the Kāśī māhātmya centered on Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha, the presiding Lord of Avimukta; the narrative frame presents Kāśī as Śiva’s own domain where His grace is especially accessible.
Significance: Hearing and recounting Viśveśvara’s māhātmya is itself treated as puṇya; pilgrimage to Viśvanātha is oriented toward pāśa-kṣaya (loosening of bondage) through Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse formally opens the Kashi–Viśveśvara māhātmya, indicating that attentive listening (śravaṇa) to Śiva’s sacred places and forms is itself a purifying act that supports devotion and liberation-oriented understanding.
By naming Viśveśvara—Śiva revered in a manifest, worshipful form closely associated with the Kashi sacred field—the text frames Saguna worship (especially Liṅga-centered pilgrimage and praise) as a valid doorway to Śiva’s grace and mokṣa.
The immediate practice is śravaṇa (reverent hearing) of the māhātmya; traditionally this is paired with remembrance of Viśveśvara, recitation of Śiva names (including the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and pilgrimage-intent contemplation of Kāśī.