History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v5.c74.t2.112

v5.c74.t2.112

The name Avimukta has generally been explained as derived from the negative particle 'na' (for which 'a' is substituted) and vimukta (forsaken). Many Purāṇas say that the holy place is so called because it was never forsaken by Śiva (sometimes both Śiva and his consort).¹⁴²¹ In the Liṅgapurāṇa another derivation is suggested¹⁴²² "avi means 'sin'; that holy place is devoid of sin". The Kāśīkhaṇḍa (39.74) states that originally the kṣetra was called Ānandakānana and then Avimukta because though Śiva went to stay on Mandara mountain he did not leave it entirely but left his *liṅga* there