Shloka 3

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच देस्च्रिप्तिओन् ओफ़् अविमुक्त वक्ष्ये संक्षेपतः सम्यक् वाराणस्याः सुशोभनम् अविमुक्तस्य माहात्म्यं यथाह भगवान् भवः

Transliteration

sūta uvāca description of Avimukta vakṣye saṃkṣepataḥ samyak vārāṇasyāḥ suśobhanam avimuktasya māhātmyaṃ yathāha bhagavān bhavaḥ

Translation

苏多说道：我今将依正理略述瓦拉纳西的殊胜记述——即阿毗穆克塔的伟大功德——正如薄伽梵婆婆（Bhava，湿婆），作为帕提、诸帕舒之主，亲自所宣说。

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ: Sūta (the narrator)

• uvāca: said

• avimuktasya: of Avimukta (the never-abandoned sacred realm)

• varṇanam: description/account

• vakṣye: I shall speak

• saṃkṣepataḥ: briefly

• samyak: correctly, in due order

• vārāṇasyāḥ: of Vārāṇasī (Kāśī)

• suśobhanam: very splendid, auspicious

• avimuktasya: of Avimukta

• māhātmyam: greatness, sacred glory

• yathāha: as was spoken/declared

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• bhavaḥ: Bhava (Śiva)

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhava
• Avimukta
• Varanasi
• Kashi

FAQs

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

It introduces the Avimukta-kṣetra māhātmya of Vārāṇasī as Śiva’s own teaching, establishing the authority for kṣetra-based Śiva-bhakti and Linga-centered merit leading toward release from pāśa (bondage).

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

By naming Śiva as “Bhagavān Bhava,” it presents him as the supreme Pati—whose word defines the salvific power of Avimukta—implying that liberation is grounded in Śiva’s grace and governance over paśus.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse primarily signals kṣetra-māhātmya and śravaṇa (devout hearing) as a gateway practice; it frames subsequent guidance for Śiva-pūjā, tīrtha/kshetra observances, and Pāśupata-oriented renunciation of pāśa through Śiva’s instruction.