The Origin of Kashi
The description of Kashi is found from Rig Veda and fourteen puranas: (Skanda Purana, Brahmvatatarya Purana, Brahma Purana, Vayu Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurmu Purana, Padma Purana, Vaman Purana, Linga Purana, Narad Purana, Shiva Purana, Bhagwat Purana, Agni Purana, Markandaya Purana) and in great epics like Ramayan and Maha Bharat. The great King Harishchandra, Lord Ram, and the Pandavas had done the journey of Kashi in Satyug, Treta and Dwapar Yugas, respectively and also Ramcharitmanas was written by Goswami Tulsidas in Kashi.
From the Skanda Purana:
Sage Agastya asked Lord Kartikeya how the sacrosanct place, Kashi came into being. He also asked how Kashi became famous as a place capable of giving salvation to a man.
Lord Kartikeya revealed to Agastya that once Parvati had asked Lord Shiva the same question. Lord Shiva had told her-- ' At the time of deluge when every thing had submerged in the ocean and darkness prevailed everywhere, only Brahman, the embodiment of truth existed at that time and nothing else. Brahman, the absolute truth is indescribable and inexpressible. No name can be attributed to Him. He is the absolute truth, the ultimate knowledge, the infinite, the omnipresent and the eternal bliss. Though basically formless He attained a form on account of His own wish. That form is none other than me. Later on I created Prakriti from my body. All three of us (Shiva, Parvati and Kashi) manifested simultaneously by the grace of 'Adi Purusha' (The Almighty God).' Continuing with the tale of Kashi's greatness, Kartikeya told Agastya- ' There is no holy place as dear to Lord Shiva as Kashi, which is not abandoned by him as well as his consort-Parvati even at the time of deluge. Lord Shiva named this holy place- Ananda van, because it gave immense joy to him. Subsequently, Lord Shiva and goddess Jagdamba put a glance on the left portion of their respective bodies as the result of which a divine entity manifested himself who was none other than Lord Vishnu and who was named Purushottam by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva after blessing Purushottam went away. Later on, Lord Vishnu created a divine reservoir with His Sudarshan Chakra and filled it up with his sweat. He then engaged himself in an austere penance. Lord Shiva once again appeared along with Parvati and blessed Vishnu by saying- ' This holy place will become famously known as Manikarnika because this is the very place where I had once lost my diamond ear-ring.'
So as we see even the origin of Kashi is interestingly and definitely tied to the story of Manikarnika.
Lord Vishnu made a request to Shiva -- 'May this place fulfill the wishes of those who seek salvation. Since it is blessed with your eternal presence hence its another name would be Kashi.'
Lord Shiva assured Vishnu by saying- 'This sacrosanct place is very dear to me and no event takes place here against my wish. Even if a person living here happens to be a sinner he has nothing to fear because I protect him. One who lives far from Kashi but remembers it with reverence becomes absolved of all his sins.'
There is a magnificent Shiva-linga at Kashi famously known as Kashi Vishwanath. Here is situated one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Just as the Sun is visible in the whole world despite its presence at a particular point in the horizon, in the same manner Kashi has its influence throughout the length and breadth of the world.
Some Religious Facts About Kashi
From the Skanda Purana:
Sage Agastya asked Lord Kartikeya how the sacrosanct place, Kashi came into being. He also asked how Kashi became famous as a place capable of giving salvation to a man.
Lord Kartikeya revealed to Agastya that once Parvati had asked Lord Shiva the same question. Lord Shiva had told her-- ' At the time of deluge when every thing had submerged in the ocean and darkness prevailed everywhere, only Brahman, the embodiment of truth existed at that time and nothing else. Brahman, the absolute truth is indescribable and inexpressible. No name can be attributed to Him. He is the absolute truth, the ultimate knowledge, the infinite, the omnipresent and the eternal bliss. Though basically formless He attained a form on account of His own wish. That form is none other than me. Later on I created Prakriti from my body. All three of us (Shiva, Parvati and Kashi) manifested simultaneously by the grace of 'Adi Purusha' (The Almighty God).' Continuing with the tale of Kashi's greatness, Kartikeya told Agastya- ' There is no holy place as dear to Lord Shiva as Kashi, which is not abandoned by him as well as his consort-Parvati even at the time of deluge. Lord Shiva named this holy place- Ananda van, because it gave immense joy to him. Subsequently, Lord Shiva and goddess Jagdamba put a glance on the left portion of their respective bodies as the result of which a divine entity manifested himself who was none other than Lord Vishnu and who was named Purushottam by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva after blessing Purushottam went away. Later on, Lord Vishnu created a divine reservoir with His Sudarshan Chakra and filled it up with his sweat. He then engaged himself in an austere penance. Lord Shiva once again appeared along with Parvati and blessed Vishnu by saying- ' This holy place will become famously known as Manikarnika because this is the very place where I had once lost my diamond ear-ring.'
So as we see even the origin of Kashi is interestingly and definitely tied to the story of Manikarnika.
Lord Vishnu made a request to Shiva -- 'May this place fulfill the wishes of those who seek salvation. Since it is blessed with your eternal presence hence its another name would be Kashi.'
Lord Shiva assured Vishnu by saying- 'This sacrosanct place is very dear to me and no event takes place here against my wish. Even if a person living here happens to be a sinner he has nothing to fear because I protect him. One who lives far from Kashi but remembers it with reverence becomes absolved of all his sins.'
There is a magnificent Shiva-linga at Kashi famously known as Kashi Vishwanath. Here is situated one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Just as the Sun is visible in the whole world despite its presence at a particular point in the horizon, in the same manner Kashi has its influence throughout the length and breadth of the world.
Some Religious Facts About Kashi
- Lord Ganesh by forming 56 configurations in seven circles protects Kashi.
- The “Record Book” of the good and evil deeds of the people of Kashi are not kept by Chitragupta and Yamdoots (Representatives of Yamraj: God of Death) do not enter in Kashi, either.
- In Kashi, the punishment code of Kaal Bhairav prevails, The torture of Bhairav is 32 times more furious than that of Yamraj.
- At the time of death of the inhabitants of Kashi, God Dandpani decorates the souls of the deceased and present them to Lord Shiva for Tarak Mantropdesh (The Mantra of liberation).
- In Kashi, the Ganga becomes “Uttar Vahini” and flows towards the north direction from where it is originated which is very very auspicious.
- The Kashi is among one of the 51 “Shakti Peethas” of Goddess Sati. Here in Kashi the eyes (or earrings) of Goddess Sati had fallen at the place where the Vishalakshi Temple is situated.
- The Supreme Goddess of Kashi is Mata Annapurna, who is obliged to provide food and shelter to the inhabitants of Kashi.
- Those who complete the Shri Kashi Panchkroshi yatra even once in his life, never go again to the 84 lakhs (8.4 millions) yonis, they attain moksha after death.
- Lord Buddha started the propagation of Buddhism from Kashi only.
- Kashi is the birth place of four Jain Tirthankars, including Lord Parshvanath.
- The Great Ashoka Pillar, made by King Ashoka the Great, which is the national emblem of India was also excavated & exhibited in Kashi.
- Saint Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas and established the shrine of Sankat Mochan Hanuman in Kashi.
- Saint Kabir Das and Saint Ravidas were also born in Kashi.
- Adi Shankaracharya’s feet’s impression and his Dand (Stick) is kept for darshana in Kashi.
