Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 11
अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य
The Greatness of Avimukta–Vārāṇasī and Viśveśvara
यो मे भक्तश्च विज्ञानी तावुभौ मुक्तिभागिनौ । तीर्थापेक्षा च न तयोर्विहिता विहिते समौ
yo me bhaktaśca vijñānī tāvubhau muktibhāginau | tīrthāpekṣā ca na tayorvihitā vihite samau
凡是我的奉献者，凡是真知者（具足正慧辨识者）——二者皆得分受解脱。对这两类人，并不规定必须依赖朝圣诸圣地（tīrtha）；在所立戒律与正行之中，他们同等无别。
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Affirms that bhakti (devotion) and vijñāna (realized discernment) are direct qualifications for mokṣa; external dependence on tīrtha-travel is secondary when inner discipline is perfected.
FAQs
The verse teaches that both steadfast devotion (bhakti) and realized spiritual knowledge (vijñāna) lead to moksha, and that inner adherence to Shiva’s prescribed dharma and discipline can supersede external dependence on pilgrimage.
It emphasizes that sincere devotion to Shiva (often expressed through Linga worship, mantra, and daily observances) and true understanding of Shiva’s reality both culminate in liberation, making the fruit of Saguna worship effective when aligned with inner realization.
The takeaway is to prioritize prescribed Shaiva discipline—regular Shiva worship, japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and steady inner purity—over merely relying on travel to tīrthas for spiritual merit.