The Legendary History of Kashi
According to the Koti Rudra Samhita of the Shiva Mahapurana, there arose a desire within the unique Supreme Being, who revels in the state of non-duality (Advaita), to experience being both one and two. Then, that very Supreme Being manifested in the form of the Saguna Brahman, called Shiva. Shiva appeared as both male and female forms. The male form was called 'Shiva', and the female form was called 'Shakti'. These two, in their blissful consciousness, spontaneously created the two conscious entities (Prakriti and Purusha) without any prior perception of their parents. In that state of creation, both Prakriti and Purusha found themselves in great doubt without seeing their parents. At that moment, a celestial voice from the formless Supreme Being manifested, saying, "You both should perform penance. Then, the most excellent creation will expand from you."
Prakriti and Purusha replied, "Lord Shiva, there is no place suitable for penance. Where should we be situated at this moment to perform penance according to your command?"
Then, Nirguna Shiva created a magnificent city, fifty kosas in length and breadth, radiant, auspicious, and beautiful, which was an embodiment of his own nature. It was equipped with all the necessary amenities. After constructing that city, he sent them there. The city came to be located near the Supreme Purusha. Then, the Supreme Purusha, Lord Vishnu, meditated on Shiva for many years in that city. Due to his intense penance, numerous streams of white water emerged from his body, filling the entire empty space. Nothing else could be seen there. Seeing this wonder, Lord Vishnu mentally exclaimed, "What astonishing thing is this?"
At that moment, as a result of his amazement, he shook his head, causing a gem to fall from one of his ears. Wherever that gem fell, it became a great pilgrimage site known as Manikarnika. When the previously mentioned water masses began to drown and flow away, Nirguna Shiva quickly caught them with his trident. Then, Vishnu, along with his wife, Prakriti, lay down there. From his navel, a lotus emerged, from which Brahma was born. Even his birth was an order of Lord Shiva. Afterward, following Shiva's command, Brahma initiated the marvelous creation. Brahma created fourteen worlds in the universe. The expansion of the universe has been described as fifty crore yojanas by great sages. Then, Lord Shiva thought, "How will beings bound by the shackles of karma within the universe attain me?" Considering this, he left the liberated Panchakroshi Kashi in this world.
Nirguna Shiva said to Lord Vishnu, "This Panchakroshi Kashi has been considered auspicious in the world of Kashi, destroyer of the bonds of karma, bestower of knowledge, and revealer of the story of liberation. Therefore, it is most dear to me. Here, the linga form called 'Avimukta' has been established by the Supreme Soul himself. Hence, I have a great affection for it. Never should you forsake this region, O Hari." Saying this, Lord Hari, using his trident, descended Kashi from his hand and left it in the mortal world. Even when the entire universe dissolves at the end of a day of Brahma, the destruction of this Kashi does not occur. At that time, Lord Shiva holds it on his trident, and when a new creation is initiated by Brahma, he again places it on this earth. It is called 'Kashi' because it attracts beings by the attraction of their actions. The Avimukteshwara Linga always remains manifested here. It grants liberation even to the greatest sinners. In other places of liberation, attainment of formlessness, etc. is achieved. Only in this Kashi, the ultimate liberation named Sayujya is easily attained for beings who have nowhere else to go. For those who have no other recourse, Varanasi is their refuge. It is a city full of great merits, capable of destroying millions of sins. Even the immortal gods desire death here, let alone others. This beloved city of Shankara, Kashi, always bestows both enjoyment and liberation.
The husband of Kailasa, who is internally characterized by Sattva and externally by Tamas, is famous as Kalagni Rudra. Even though he is Nirguna, he manifested in the form of Saguna as Shiva. Paying obeisance repeatedly, Rudra said to Nirguna Shiva in this manner.
Rudra said, "Vishwanatha! Maheshwara! I am indeed yours; there is no doubt about it. Samba Mahadeva! Bestow your grace upon me, your son. O Lord of the universe! It is always desirable for you to remain here for the welfare of the world. Jagannatha! I pray to you. Stay here and uplift the beings. Thereafter, Avimukta, with his consent, said to them, "O Mahadeva, the beautiful medicine for the disease called time, you are truly worthy of worship by the masters of all three worlds and by Brahma and Vishnu as well. O god! Accept Kashi as your capital. I will always meditate here for the attainment of inconceivable happiness. You alone are the fulfiller of liberation and all desires; there is no one else. Therefore, for the welfare of others, I will remain here with Uma. Sadashiva! Lead all beings across the ocean of the world. Hari! I repeatedly pray that you accomplish the tasks of your devotees."
When Avimukta prayed to Lord Shiva in this manner, the Supreme Lord Shiva manifested himself there to perform welfare for all worlds...
Upon being pleased, Divodasa asked for a boon: "May the gods reside in their divine realm, and may the serpents be sent to their designated underworld. Kashi belongs to humans, so let it remain near them. Transgressing someone else's territory is unbecoming for the gods and disrupts the balance of creation." Lord Brahma said, "So be it." Lord Shiva had to leave Kashi along with the deities. However, despite leaving, he continued to reside in Kashi in the form of Shri Vishweshwara, and other deities also stayed there in the form of idols. Lord Shankara left for Mandarachala, but his affection and preference for Kashi remained. He desired to stay in Kashi. He sent sixty-four Yoginis to remove Divodasa, but the king established them at a ghat. He sent the sun, but seeing the grandeur of this city, the sun became restless and transformed into the twelve Adityas, residing there. By the inspiration of Shankara, Brahma arrived at Kashi and performed ten Ashwamedha Yajnas with the help of Divodasa and then settled there. After this, Lord Shiva sent various of his ganas to Kashi for the accomplishment of his tasks, but they were also unsuccessful and began to practice penance there. Subsequently, Lord Shiva sent his son, Ganesha,
to capture Kashi, but Divodasa made him the lord of Kashi by making a covenant. Thus, Shankara could not acquire Kashi despite his intense desire. Therefore, Kashi is considered the permanent abode of Lord Shiva.
Narada asked Brahma, "Lord, what did Lord Shiva say to Divodasa?" Lord Brahma replied, "Lord Shiva said, 'I reside in Kashi and make it my home. My linga is also situated there. Even so, I cannot do anything in the presence of Divodasa, and you must know this. I meditate there and grant liberation to beings. Please remove this king from there, and I will be pleased with you.' Divodasa replied, 'Mahadeva! I am not your enemy, and I am also a lord of this city. Wherever I dwell, there is no need to be a host. I have made a linga for you and am serving it with my heart. You are welcome here at all times. I am not the ruler of this city; you are its ruler. I am a servant and a resident of this city; you are its owner and a master. This is the arrangement I have made.' Lord Shiva replied, 'If you are really dedicated to me, then always remember Kashi with devotion. Do not engage in religious practices that I do not approve of. I am always present here. But you must worship me with devotion. If you wish to live in Kashi, then Kashi will remain as it is.'"
Brahma continued: Divodasa then agreed to Shankara's terms and conditions. Since then, Kashi has been celebrated as the city of Lord Shiva. Even Shankara could not do anything against the word of Divodasa, as he had become pleased with him. Later, Avimukta gave Kashi a boon that whoever resides in Kashi for six days will never return to the cycle of birth and death. Then, leaving Kashi, Lord Shiva went to Shri Shaila with Uma, and the other gods also returned to their respective places. Thus, Kashi has been celebrated as a great place of liberation by great sages and holy scriptures. It is renowned as a great pilgrimage site and a place of liberation. It is considered the best place for penance. This Kashi is renowned as the heart of the universe. All the virtues and merits of the holy places exist here. This Kashi is the place of liberation for those who have nowhere else to go. It is capable of removing the sins of beings. This Kashi is the ultimate destination for all beings.
