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- Posted On : 22 Jan 2025
- Category : Varanasi
Is Kashi (Varanasi) Really Set On Top Of Shiva’s Trishul?
Mark Twain, a famous American writer, humorist, and essayist, once said "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition. Older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
For those who don’t know, Varanasi or Kashi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The spiritual and religious hub of India, Varanasi holds immense significance in Hindu mythology and culture. There are myriad mysteries around the birth of Kashi. Today we are going to explore one of the lesser-known interpretations around the establishment of Kashi which is its association with Lord Shiva’s trishul (trident).
Let’s find out more about this:
Kashi’s connection with Shiva's trident
In Kashi, it is believed that "Kashi is the entire universe. It is not of this earth. It is not on the ground." And then the other belief says, "Kashi rests on Lord Shiva's 'Trishul,' and is the home of Shiva himself.
Kashi is divine and a space so sacred! The place is also known as the cosmic center of Hindu spirituality. As Sadhguru, the famous Indian Guru, puts it, "Kashi is a phenomenal 'yantra.' Never before, and never again, will such a city exist. To create something like this was a daring ambition, and they achieved it thousands of years ago".
Shiva's trident is one of the powerful and divine weapons that is connected with creation and destruction as well. As per old Hindu texts, Kashi is believed to be situated at the very top of Shiva's trident. It's a fact that not many are aware of. This is one of the reasons that Kashi is considered the ultimate spiritual destination.
What Hindu mythology say
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva is among the main Hindu deities who holds a trident which represents his three-fold powers over the universe which are creation, preservation, and destruction.
The trident symbolises Shiva's control over time and space and the spiritual significance of Kashi being placed at the top of this trident speaks to its central role in the cosmic order. It is said that the trishul's three prongs correspond to the three gunas (qualities) of existence—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance).
It is believed that Kashi is approximately 33 feet above the ground and is set at the apex, which is regarded as the ultimate place for spiritual liberation or moksha.
Pilgrims from across the world visit Kashi to seek blessings and salvation and the belief that the city lies at the top of Shiva’s trishul just underscores its importance as the highest spiritual destination.
The imagery of Kashi perched atop Shiva’s trishul reinforces the city’s significance not only as a religious hub but also as a symbol of the connection between the earthly and the divine. The trident itself, being one of Shiva’s most powerful attributes, can be seen as a conduit between the physical and the metaphysical realms.
Well, the belief that Kashi is set atop Shiva’s trishul is a powerful one and a symbol of its spiritual significance in Hinduism making it a timeless must-visit destination in India!
