Kashi on the Trident of Lord Shiva
It is believed that Varanasi is situated on the trident of Lord Shiva. Varanasi
(Visheshvara) exists on the middle fork of trident of Lord Shiva,
Omkareshvara on the north fork and Kedareshvara on south fork of
trident of Lord Shiva (Omkareshvara, Visheshvara, Kedareshvara). Lord
Shiva always lives here invisibly and flow the energy from his hair in
the form of Ganga River. Varanasi is the oldest city in the world and older than history. Varanasi has destroyed four times by Muslim invaders between 11th to 17th centuries but it has re-built. In the Varanasi,
there are over 3000 Hindu temples, 1400 Mosque, 12 Churches, 3 Jain
temples, 9 Buddhist temple and 3 sikh temples. Varanasi is denoted by
various names such as Varanasi, Kashi, Banaras, Mahasmashana, Avimukta,
Anandvan, Rudravasa etc.
Kashi:
The
word Kashi is taken from Atharva Ved which means ‘concentration of
cosmic light’. Kashi gives Moksha (liberation) to everybody. Kashi is
originated from name of Kasha who was seventh king of Kashi. Devout
Hindu of the city called it Kashi because the rays of the sun in
morning spread across the river and strike high banked face of the city.
Varanasi:
This city is called Varanasi (Varuna + Assi) because it is lying between Varuna River
(north side) and Assi stream (south side). It is believed that Varuna
and Assi is originated from left and right legs of Lord Vishnu lying at
Allahabad (Prayag) and both the river is were created by God and place
to guard the entrance of evil.
Banaras:
This city is denoted by Banaras
or Banarasi by Buddhist literature. Pali version became more popular.
In the time of Muslim ruler and British ruler, this city was popular by
Banaras. One meaning of Banaras is also popular as: Banaras = Bana (readymade) Ras (Juice), thus Banarase means a place where readymade juice of life is always available.
Avimukta:
According
to the literature Lord Shiva said “Because I never forsake it, this
great place is therefore known as Avimukta (‘never forsaken’).
Anandvan:
Lord
Shiva explains: “My ling are everywhere there, like little sprouts
arisen out of sheer enjoyment” (mentioned in Kashi Rahasya). Thus it is
known as forest of enjoyment (Anand+Van=Anandvan).
Rudravasa:
This city is denoted by Rudravasa because Lord Shiva lives here and protect it.
Mahasmashana, The ground of great cremation:
The
whole city is the ground of cremation which controller is Lord Shiva.
The word Mahasmashana is explains as: Maha (greate), Sma (dead body),
and Shan (final rest). All the five gross elements (earth, water, air,
fire and sky) live here like corpses. At present there are two
cremation ghats (Harishchandra ghat, Manikarnika ghat) in Varanasi. More than 50,000 dead bodies are cremated here in a year. People come here from all other parts of India to die for relief from transmigration.
Haridas's space 