Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

अस्य क्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यम् अविमुक्तस्य सर्वथा वक्तुमर्हसि देवेश देवदेव वृषध्वज

Transliteration

asya kṣetrasya māhātmyam avimuktasya sarvathā vaktumarhasi deveśa devadeva vṛṣadhvaja

Translation

噢，诸天之主，诸神之神，牛旗之尊（Vṛṣadhvaja）啊，愿你从各方面为我宣说此阿毗穆克多（Avimukta）圣域的神圣大威德。

Word by Word

• अस्य: of this

• क्षेत्रस्य: sacred field/holy place

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness, sacred glory

• अविमुक्तस्य: of Avimukta (the never-abandoned holy kṣetra)

• सर्वथा: in every way, completely

• वक्तुम्: to speak, to explain

• अर्हसि: you are worthy/please deign

• देवेश: Lord of the devas

• देवदेव: God of gods

• वृषध्वज: He whose banner bears the bull (Śiva).

Speaker

A Deva or devotee addressing Shiva within Suta’s narration (internal dialogue)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Avimukta as a uniquely Shiva-sustained kṣetra and requests its māhātmya, implying that worship of Śiva (as Linga/Pati) there is especially potent for removing pāśa (bondage) from the paśu (soul).

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

By calling him Deveśa and Devadeva, the verse presents Śiva as the supreme Pati—transcending the devas—whose grace and revelation alone can fully disclose the liberating power of the sacred field.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śravaṇa and upadeśa (hearing sacred instruction) as a primary practice—receiving Śiva’s teaching about the kṣetra’s power, which supports kṣetra-yātrā, Linga-pūjā, and Pāśupata-oriented liberation intent.