Kashi, the city of salvation: The secret of liberation from death is linked to Lord Shiva
Astrology News: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is currently in the news for its security arrangements. An incident has come to light in which a PAC (Territorial Armed Constabulary) soldier posted at Gate No. 4 of the temple accidentally fired a gun, injuring three people. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is considered the “Gateway to Salvation.” If you hear the phrase “Kashyam Maranam Mukti” during your visit to Kashi, don’t be surprised; instead, try to understand its meaning. It means, “Death in Kashi leads to salvation.” Kashi – also known as Varanasi or Banaras – is one of the oldest living cities in the world. According to the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana, it is said that a person who dies in Varanasi is liberated from the cycle of birth and death. It is considered a city that has existed for centuries.
Attaining Moksha through the Taraka Mantra
The city of Varanasi is believed to have been built by Lord Shiva himself and rests on his trident. Death is not viewed with fear in Kashi. When a Hindu dies here, they are taken to the Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi for cremation. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself utters the Tarak Mantra into the ears of the departed soul, granting it salvation. This mantra severs the soul’s connection to the material world, leading to immediate liberation. According to belief, in the holy city of Varanasi, Lord Shiva, rather than Yama, the god of death, grants salvation to the soul.
Goddess Parvati: The First Recipient of the Taraka Mantra
The Tarak Mantra is the name ‘Rama’, formed by a combination of two mantras: the eight-syllable Om Namo Narayanaya and the five-syllable Namah Shivaya. According to mythological traditions, Lord Shiva first imparted the Taraka Mantra to Goddess Parvati. Chanting the Taraka Mantra is believed to bestow the same spiritual merit as chanting the Vishnu Sahasranama. From a philosophical perspective, it reflects the core tenets of Hinduism. The Taraka Mantra symbolizes spiritual liberation from the material world under the supreme guidance of Lord Shiva.
