Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Skanda Puranam describes the Majesty of Kashi - Varanasi.
Sage Agastya and his wife Lopamudra arrived at the mountains of Sri Sailam. The Sage explained that the mere sight of the peak of mountains brings salvation. The Sage continued, "Prayag is one among the sacred places which could bring liberations from the cycles of birth and death". It is capable to provide all the four Purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. There are many sacrosanct places which can bring salvation - Naimisharanya, Kurushetra, Gangadhwar, Avanti, Ayodhya, Dwaraka, Purushothama Kshetra, Badrikashram . Amongst them, Kashi is incomparable.
Sage Agastya and Lopamudra circumambulated the mountain of Sri Sailam and moved on. They met Lord Karthikeya and praised His glory by chanting Vedic Hymns. The most pleased Karthikeya explained the majesty of Kashi. Shambu Kumara revealed the truth that he Himself did not have the luck of visiting Kashi though he was capable to move on into the entire Universe at his own will. Lord Karthikeya disclosed the eternal truth that no one can reach Kashi on their own will, though they underwent severe austerities. Lord Mahadeva's blessings can only make it possible to visit this sacred place. Only the fortunate can reside in Kashi till the end of their life. Lord Karthikeya approached Sage Agastya, praising that the sage was fortunate to reside in the soils of Kashi. He touched the body part of Sage Agastya as if touching the Sacred Soil of Kashi.
Sage Agastya requested Lord Karthikeya to explain the origin of the Sacrosanct Place Kashi and how it was capable to bring salvation to mankind. Karthikeya revealed the fact that Goddess Parvati also had the same question in her mind, which was clarified by Lord Shiva.
During the time of Pralaya ( when the whole universe submerged into water), darkness existed everywhere and ' Brahmam ' took its own shape. Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathy and Kashi generated in the 'Prakriti' from the Grace of 'Adi Purusha'. Lord Karthikeya continued, even during the time of deluge, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati did not leave this sacred land and it is one of the sacred lands dear to Lord Shiva known as 'Anand Van' (place of immense joy). Manifestation of Lord Purushothama from the equal entity of Lord Shiva, his consort and Lord Vishnu created the ' Chakra Theertham' from his own sweat and underwent severe penance. Lord Shiva blessed Purushothama and declared the place 'Manikarnika', the place where His diamond ear ring got lost. Lord Shiva dwells in this scared land with His eternal presence and this place is capable to provide 'Salvation' to mankind. Lord Shiva assured Lord Vishnu that the eternal truth of one who remembers the 'Sacred name of this land - 'Kashi' is capable to wash off their sins, whoever resides in this land, though they happened to be a sinner.
The magnificent Linga in Kashi is known as one of the Jyothir Lingas.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Naryana !!
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