Shloka 73

उमास्वयंवरः / भवोद्वाहः, गणसमागमः, अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम्, तथा विनायक-उत्पत्तिसूचना

Devanagari script

अथाहार्धेन्दुतिलकः क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् अविमुक्तस्य माहात्म्यं विस्तराच्छक्यते नहि

Transliteration

athāhārdhendutilakaḥ kṣetramāhātmyamuttamam avimuktasya māhātmyaṃ vistarācchakyate nahi

Translation

于是，额饰半月的阿诃尔陀恩度提拉迦（Āhārdhendutilaka）宣说此圣域无上的伟大；因为阿毗穆克多（Avimukta）的荣耀，实难以详尽铺陈。

Word by Word

• atha: then

• āhārdhendutilakaḥ: Āhārdhendutilaka (a revered narrator/teacher)

• kṣetra: sacred field, holy region

• māhātmyam: greatness, sanctifying power

• uttamam: supreme, unsurpassed

• avimuktasya: of Avimukta (the never-abandoned holy kṣetra, identified with Kāśī)

• māhātmyam: glory

• vistarāt: in विस्तार, in full elaboration

• śakyate: is possible

• nahi: not, indeed not

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Mahatmya section; introducing Āhārdhendutilaka’s discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Avimukta (Kāśī) as a supreme Shiva-kṣetra whose sanctifying power exceeds complete description—implying that Linga worship there is especially potent due to Shiva’s abiding presence and grace.

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

By declaring Avimukta’s glory “indescribable,” the verse points to Shiva as Pati whose anugraha transcends ordinary speech and measure; the kṣetra’s greatness reflects Shiva-tattva’s limitless, liberating power over Pāśa (bondage) for the Pāśu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It emphasizes kṣetra-sevā and tīrtha-oriented Shaiva sādhanā—pilgrimage, residence, and Linga-pūjā in Avimukta—as supportive conditions for Pāśupata-aligned purification and liberation through Shiva’s grace.