Thread by @sureshseshadri1

Why is #Kashi so significant to Hindus? Part -1 #Thread

#Gyanvapi

Varanasi does not receive much attention in Vedic literature, but its glory is strongly eulogized in puranic literature and treatises.

Kashi (The "Luminous"), Avimukta (The "Never-Forsaken" of Shiva, the patron deity), Anandavana (The "Forest of Bliss"), and Rudravasa (The "Dwelling site of Shiva") have all been used to describe the concept of image.

Its varied forms, shapes, territories, and sacred numbers were described in the Mahatmya literature. These manifestations can be further explained using the pilgrimage mandala's four essential co-ordinates: holy place, sacred time, sacred number, and sacred activity.

These coordinates are symbolically linked to one another. The portrayal of various symbolic forms of Varanasi in legendary periods of time is a distinctive quality among such symbols.

Brahmavaivarta Purana depicts the city's territorial shape as it evolved over the Yugas. Kashi's shape was Trident (Trishula) in Krta/Satya (1,728,000 yrs), Disc (Chakra) in Treta (1,206,000 yrs), Chariot (Ratha) in Dvapara (864,000 yrs), Conch-shell (Shankha) in Kali.

As in the Satya Yuga, Kashi is supposed to be at Shiva's trident metaphorically. The 3 primary #Shivalingas, Omkareshvara in the north, Vishveshvara in the middle, and Kedareshvara in the south, depict the three forks of the trident.

These 3 Lingas also refer to the ancient settlements that surrounded them, and are still regarded to be emblematic of the city's three sacred parts (khandas), each of which has temples dedicated to its patron deities of the same name.

Kashi is depicted as sacred area surrounded by the 3 rivers Varana to the north, Asi to the south, and Ganga to the east, and lying atop Shiva's trident.

The city is portrayed as indestructible (avinashi) and so immortal across conventional time and bounded space because of its link with cosmic origins (ananta).

"It is stated that only the eyes of the enlightened seer may see the actual Kashi, the immortal Kashi hanging in the Void on Shiva's trident." Whatever the 'true objective historical situation' of Kashi may be, its timelessness can only be realised through an act of vision.

The disc-shape was created in Treta and corresponds to the circular form of Chaurashikroshi Yatra with Madhyameshvara at the centre and Vinayaka at the radial point; it covers a circumambulation of 184 miles.
Pilgrimage to this land represents the cosmos' circumambulation.

There are 4 Bhairava temples at the four cardinal-radial points (Ruru, Asitanga, Krodhan, Samhara; clockwise from the east). Because Bhairava is regarded as Shiva's frightening form that controls kala (time and death), He is also known as Kala Bhairava.

The 7 kinds of Shiva temples may explain the chariot form (Dvapara). The temples of Gokarneshvara, Shulatankeshvara, Manikarnikeshvara, n Bharabhuteshvara are the hubs of chariot's wheels, while Madhyameshvara n Omkareshvara are the driving horses and the Ganga River is the path.

The Ganga's flow represents the passage from the domain of death (south) to the realm of life (north) (north). The search for Shiva's dwelling in the north (i.e. Kailash), as well as the original site of the city's cosmic form, is symbolised by the march towards the north.

In its current configuration (in Kali), Vighnaraja Viniyaka in the northwest, Shaileshvara in the north along the Varana river, Kedareshvara in the southeast, and Lolarka in the south, in addition to the above six temples (as in Dvapara), form a conch-shell shape.

On the scales of space, time, and faith, the description of the four symbolic forms of Kashi is analogous to a territorial strategy for establishing distinct degrees of access to people, things, and relationships. The Ganga river is the foundation in all four forms.

Another account compares the two water channels that delimit the city's geographical reach in the north and south to the arteries of Shiva's mystical body.

In yoga, streams Asi & Varana represent "Ida" & "Pingala,", while 3rd artery connecting the Ganga to Matsyodari r Brahmanal is referred to as "Susumna." As Shiva himself remarked, "This city is my body." Sacred places are thought to correspond to different portions of his body.

The emphasis is once again on 'water symbolism,' in which two gross elements, namely water and wind, are given prominence.
These two are thought to be the primary forces shaping the landscape. The terrain becomes geomancient by manifesting divine force through these two aspects

By the currents of cosmic breath, the process of spatial manifestation of spirit is an art of holy mapping that assisted residents and departed souls alike cooperate and harmonise the environment. #Varanasi was also planned using geomancy principles.

I want all Hindus to be well-informed on the facts of #SanatanaDharma at all times. Others can misinterpret our scriptures because of our ignorance.

The story will continue.. Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain further info.

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ॐ नमः शिवाय🙏

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