DOES EVERYONE WHO DIES IN VARANASI GETS LIBERATED?

[Guest guest]

I have a question which I have been contemplating from

a long time.

Does everyone who dies in the city of Varanasi, whose

ancient name is Kashi, gets liberated?

I have read in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri

Ramakrishna the Great Master,and among the teachings

of the Holy Mother that everyone dying in Varanasi is

liberated? Is this symbolic or literally true?

I have read Diana Eck's classic book BANARAS, CITY OF

LIGHT with great interest. She devotes a chapter

titled " City of Liberation " in the book.

Can the esteemed members of our group enlighten me on

the above subject?

Jai Sri Ramakrishna,

Girish

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

dear girish

it was in earlier days, those who are interested to go there would had to walk or use to go in other slowest medium. and during their journey their mind was totally just focused to reach kashi and avail darshan of vishwanath. and this journey period was the peak time of mental sadhana. and once they finish this and goes there,......their mind would be whelmed with so much satisfaction.

and if they die there in that attitude......then it is considers(in my view) as moksha.........as gurumaharaj and srimata said in their preaching that one who is jnaani will be laughing at the time of his death.....others cry with worldly pains......

and this has influenced so many other sadhakas to go to kashi to avail darshan and this is an indirect way of sadhana........and later they start believe that if any body dies there will get liberated..........

but i dont think for now a days it is true..........becuase in our way of journey to kashi most of us travel by bus..train or some time flight........

and during journey most of us will be enjoying good food and music........and if in that state they go and die........i dont think they will be liberated............

this is purely my imagination.........pls correct me if i am wrong......regards

KSN Prasad

 

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[Guest guest]

Namaste,

 

There is no enlightenment higher than trust in Thakur's words.

He has described what he saw in Varanasi: Shankara uttering the

Taraka Mantra 'Rama' in every departing body's ears.

 

He has even made it easier. This is the last birth for those

who come to Him.

 

Regards,

 

Sunder

 

 

Ramakrishna , Girish Parikh <girish116>

wrote:

> I have a question which I have been contemplating from

> a long time.

> Does everyone who dies in the city of Varanasi, whose

> ancient name is Kashi, gets liberated?

> I have read in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri

> Ramakrishna the Great Master,and among the teachings

> of the Holy Mother that everyone dying in Varanasi is

> liberated? Is this symbolic or literally true?

> I have read Diana Eck's classic book BANARAS, CITY OF

> LIGHT with great interest. She devotes a chapter

> titled " City of Liberation " in the book.

> Can the esteemed members of our group enlighten me on

> the above subject?

> Jai Sri Ramakrishna,

> Girish

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard

> http://antispam./whatsnewfree

[Guest guest]

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA,

 

I also read that in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna,

further he actually saw Lord Rudra (Siva) uttering

Pranava Mantra 'OM' in dead peolpe's ears.

 

In shivite faith, we believe that people who born in

Tiruvadavur (in Tamil nadu) where the temple

Chidambaram situated will be liberated, because people

here are considered to be deeply devotional and

MORALLY PURE. Many of the Sixty-Three Nayanar, the

Nayanars were the sincere and ardent devotees of Lord

Siva Saints, attained Jivan-Mukti by the grace of the

Supreme Lord. Secondly people whoever go round the

Arunachala Linga Mount during the holy festival time

of Kartigai Dipam, and worship the Lord with PURE

DEVOTION, understand the ture significant of the

festival and do meditation there likely to become a

Jivan-Mukta (librated while living), this is where Sri

Ramana Maharishi spend most of his life. Finally we

truely believe peole who die in Kashi will be

librated, however I heard an old man who wanted to die

in Kashi so that he can attain libration went and stay

there for many years, but he decided to visit his

family, so he went to his village and died next day.

So I believe without COMPLETE SURRENDER to the Lord,

libration is IMPOSSIBLE.

 

 

"

Chidambaram

 

Chidambaram or more correctly—Chittambalam (the

atmosphere of wisdom) is about 150 miles south of

Madras and seven miles from the coast. It is in the

South Arcot district. It is a Railway station on

Southern Railway on the main line. It is chiefly noted

for the most sacred and celebrated temple of Lord

Nataraja.

 

The temple is in the midway between the Vellar river

on the north and the Coleroon on the South, the sea on

the east and the Viranam lake on the West. In days of

yore the Pandya Kings, the Chola Kings and the Pallava

Kings patronized the temple. All the Tamil saints have

sung praises of the Lord. The temple was the chosen

abode of saints and poets.

 

There is Akasa lingam in Chidambaram. Lord Nataraja,

the presiding Deity of the temple is in dancing pose.

His left leg is raised. The idol of Nataraja is

enshrined in the Holy Sanctum, known as the Chit

Sabha. There is a curtain behind the idol of Nataraja.

This is removed on special occasions of worship. There

is mere space which represents Nirguna Brahman, devoid

of all names and forms. This is the Chidambara

Rahasya. Lord Nataraja has come out of the

attributeless Brahman. There is a chakra (Chidambara

Chakra) which contains the Panchakshara or

five-letters of Lord Siva—Nama Sivaya—on the wall to

the back of this idol.

 

There are five courts or Sabhas in the temple viz.,

the Chit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Raja Sabha or Durbar,

the Nritta Sabha and the Deva Sabha.

 

Lord Nataraja danced in the Chit Sabha or the Hall

within the temple. The five steps that lead to the

Golden pillared hall or Kanaka Sabha represent the

five letters—Nama Sivaya. The Raja Sabha is located

within the thousand-pillared Hall. The Nritta Sabha

demonstrates the Oordha Tandava dance of Lord

Nataraja.

 

Govindaraja, the presiding deity of a Vishnu temple

also dwells within this temple. The image of Nandanar,

the Pariah saint is in a corner near the Nritta Sabha.

 

 

The Dikshatar Brahmins do worship in the temple. There

are 250 families of Dikshatars.

 

Darshan of Lord Nataraja with intense bhav gives

Mukti. "

 

By Sri Swami Sivananda (http://www.sivanandadlshq.org)

 

 

"

Lighting Festival at Arunachala

 

Lord Siva assumed the form of a hill at Tiruvannamalai

in Tamilnadu. Here, He quelled the pride of Brahma and

Vishnu who were quarrelling as to their relative

greatness. One day, when Lord Siva was in meditation,

Parvati left Him and went to the hill of Arunachala.

There she performed penances. She was the guest of the

sage Gautama. It was during her penance here that

Mahishasura was killed by Durga bidden by Parvati.

Parvati saw Lord Siva as Arunachalesvara. She was

taken back by Lord Siva to His side and made again

Ardhanari, as Apitaku Chamba.

 

Arunachalesvara is Tejolinga. Arunachala represents

the Agni Tattva of the Pancha Bhuta Kshetras.

 

Arunachalam is another name for Tiruvannamalai. In

days of yore, many Siddha Purushas lived in this hill.

Idyakadar, Arunagirinathar lived here. This place is

famous for its Festival of Lighting (Kartigai Dipam)

every year during the month of Kartigai (November), on

the day when the full moon falls in the Kartigai

Nakshatram. The lighting takes place at about 5 or

5.30 in the evening. A big hollow in a rock is filled

with ghee, oil and camphor. A big wick is put in the

ghee and lighted. The lighting is seen even at a

distance of sixteen miles. It is regarded that he who

beholds this light does not take any future birth. The

light burns continuously for three months.

 

A veil is put around the light at the top of the

Arunachala hill. The people bring the Isvara Vigraha

outside the temple at 5.30 p.m. as soon as Kartigai

Nakshatra dawns. Then a Bhana (fire work) is sent

towards the light in the hill through the sky. The man

who is in charge of the lighting at the hill removes

the veil at once. Then the people see the big light

and worship the light with folded hands. They repeat

loudly ‘Harahara, Harohara’.

 

The esoteric significance is that he who sees the

Light of lights that is burning eternally in the

chambers of one’s heart, through constant meditation,

attains immortality. The lighting in the Arunachala

brings the message to you that the Atman or Lord Siva

is self-effulgent, Jyotis-Svarupa, Light of lights,

Sun of suns.

 

The big light at the hill represents Lord Siva or

Paramatman (Supreme Soul). The Bhana is Jiva or the

individual soul. The veil represents Avidya that

covers the individual soul. The Bhana burns the veil

and merges itself in the big light. Even so, if you

destroy Avidya by the fire of meditation and Vichara,

you can merge yourself in the Supreme Soul or Light of

lights.

 

Kanjivaram, Jambukesvara, Tiruvannamalai, Kalahasti

and Chidambaram are the five Bhuta Linga Kshetras.

Prithvi Lingam is at Kanjivaram. Apas Lingam is at

Jambukesvaram. Tejo-Lingam is at Tiruvannamalai.

Vayu-Lingam is at Kalahasti. Akasa-Lingam is at

Chidambaram.

 

These five places represent the apex of five angles of

a five triangled figure which represents the five

Bhutas of which the entire world is made up. The

Tejas-Tattva is in the middle of the five Bhutas. It

forms the way through which the Supreme Soul or Lord

Siva can be known or seen or realised by the Jiva. The

fire of meditation burns the Avidya of the Jiva and

helps him to merge himself in the Supreme Light.

 

The Vedantin holds that Vak (speech) is Brahman. He

proves that Vak is Agni or fire and deduces his

doctrine of unity. Agni is the presiding deity of

speech. Vak is Agni. Vak is Brahman.

 

The Panchamurtis or Pancha Tattvas meet at a time

which is neither night nor day, when the sun and the

moon shine together. The light at the hill is seen at

a distance of sixteen miles. This represents the

‘Purnakala’ or Brahman.

 

The Yogi beholds that light during meditation at the

crown of the head, which represents the top of the

Arunachala hill, and merges himself in it during

Nirvikalpa Samadhi.

 

Annihilate the three impurities, Anava, Karma and

Maya. Burn the mind, senses and the Vasanas in the

fire of knowledge of the Self or Sivajnanam. Attain

full illumination and behold the Light of lights which

illumines the mind, intellect, sun, stars, lightning

and the fire. This is real Kartigai Dipam.

 

May the Light of lights illumine you all! May Lord

Siva bless you with more light! May you merge in this

Supreme Light and attain the eternal bliss of

Immortality! "

 

By Sri Swami Sivananda (http://www.sivanandadlshq.org)

 

" Benares

 

Benares is the most sacred city of India. It is the

centre of Hinduism and Sanskrit learning. Many

Sannyasins live here. It is also known by the name

Varanashi, a place between the two rivers, Varana and

Ashi, springing from the right and left feet of Lord

Siva. Lord Buddha preached his new gospel here.

 

The temple of Lord Vishwanath is the most important

one. The Mohammedans destroyed the old Vishwanath

temple, and threw the image in the holy well,

Gyanavapi.

 

The next important temple is the Annapurna temple.

Lord Siva deputed Annapurna to feed the world. The

most popular festival is celebrated here. A big

Annakut is held here during Deepavali. The golden

image is taken out in procession.

 

Another important temple is the temple of Sakshi

Vinayak. Every pilgrim should visit this temple after

visiting Vishwanath and Annapurna temples. The feet

and hands of Lord Ganesh are made up of silver.

 

There are 365 Chattras in Benares where food is freely

distributed. Asi Ghat, the Dasaswamedha ghat, the

Manikarnika, Panchaganga are the famous ghats. The

Manikarnika is the most sacred ghat. It is the central

ghat of Benares. "

By Sri Swami Sivananda (http://www.sivanandadlshq.org)

 

 

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

 

 

 

--- Girish Parikh <girish116 wrote:

 

I have a question which I have been contemplating from

a long time.

Does everyone who dies in the city of Varanasi, whose

ancient name is Kashi, gets liberated?

I have read in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri

Ramakrishna the Great Master,and among the teachings

of the Holy Mother that everyone dying in Varanasi is

liberated? Is this symbolic or literally true?

I have read Diana Eck's classic book BANARAS, CITY OF

LIGHT with great interest. She devotes a chapter

titled " City of Liberation " in the book.

Can the esteemed members of our group enlighten me on

the above subject?

Jai Sri Ramakrishna,

Girish

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard

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[Guest guest]

Dear Girish,

You are an old hand in this group. So it makes me wonder why you have raised this question. Actually, as per Thakurs vision at Benares, all those who get cremated (and not simply dies) there gets liberated. Thakur himself had the vision at Manikarnika Ghat that Lord Shiva was visiting every pier lit there and giving the mantra of liberation while Mother Kali undid the bonds of Karma. This may sound like favouritism to many. After all a man may commit many sins and then be cremated at Varanasi. And then another person may have lived a very pious life at Kashi and have died elsewhere.

There is a similiar story at Puri that all who have a darshan of Lord Jagannath are immediately liberated. One day while the Holy Mother was having darshan on a very busy day she was happy that so many people would be liberated. But then immediately she had the thought that not all but only those who were desireless would get that chance. On glancing around she found that of all the people who had gathered there only a few were desireless.

The second story seems logical but then who are we to judge?

Regards

Jagannath.

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear Girish, Jagannath

Will everyone who is cremated in Kashi get liberated? Probably only

if there was a yearning.

 

I may be wrong but am willing to be corrected. For instance it is

said that a bath in the ganges removes all sins. And once it was said

that any one uttering lord Krishna's name even once would get

liberated. However, this might actually make people refrain from

uttering his name if they are not ready for liberation- they would

like to enjoy wordly pleasures for some more time!!. So the condition

was changed to ' If a person utters Krishna's name even once from the

very depths of his heart he will get liberated'.

 

The story of mine may not be very accurate but the import may be

true. A Jivan muktha gets his liberation while alive and need not

worry about where and how he is going to leave his mortal coil. For

the others, who have this strong yearning for liberation and realize

that they are not Jivan Muktas yet and that there are many binding

Karmas, passing away and getting cremated in Benares may help.

However, someone not seeking liberation may not get liberated even if

he happens to die and get cremated in Kashi?

Many Pranams

Sridhar

Ramakrishna , Jagannath Chatterjee

<jagchat01> wrote:

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The following is my idea of liberation and Darshan, I am not informed enough to think otherwise -

 

Whether we get liberated or not depends on our perception of liberation. Liberation has no set path, different people may get liberated following different paths. We human beings can be driven a long way by our imagination and the imagination can be so intense that we may see the images that we imagine. Thakur was so much in love with God and his perception of God is what he imagined to have seen. One who wants to be liberated does not need to go to a particular place to serve his/her purpose. Liberation is one's own way of reaching God with utmost devotion that only he/she can attain. A Guru's help towards reaching the goal is helpful, but where does none find a "real" Guru?

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Jagannath Chatterjee <jagchat01 wrote:

 

 

 

Dear Girish,

You are an old hand in this group. So it makes me wonder why you have raised this question. Actually, as per Thakurs vision at Benares, all those who get cremated (and not simply dies) there gets liberated. Thakur himself had the vision at Manikarnika Ghat that Lord Shiva was visiting every pier lit there and giving the mantra of liberation while Mother Kali undid the bonds of Karma. This may sound like favouritism to many. After all a man may commit many sins and then be cremated at Varanasi. And then another person may have lived a very pious life at Kashi and have died elsewhere.

There is a similiar story at Puri that all who have a darshan of Lord Jagannath are immediately liberated. One day while the Holy Mother was having darshan on a very busy day she was happy that so many people would be liberated. But then immediately she had the thought that not all but only those who were desireless would get that chance. On glancing around she found that of all the people who had gathered there only a few were desireless.

The second story seems logical but then who are we to judge?

Regards

Jagannath.

 

 

 

Protect your identity with Mail AddressGuard Sri Ramakrishnaye NamahVivekananda Centre Londonhttp://www.vivekananda.co.uk

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends -

 

Mataji herself assuered to all her sons that whoever

dies in Kashi/Varanasi gets liberated. Her view was

not just representative but literal. Also I think

yearning is a personal aspect but then in the city of

Shiva even if anybody doesnt have any spiritual

progress at all still that person gets liberated. That

was the intention of the mother ...

 

--- asridhar19 <asridhar19 wrote:

> Dear Girish, Jagannath

> Will everyone who is cremated in Kashi get

> liberated? Probably only

> if there was a yearning.

>

> I may be wrong but am willing to be corrected. For

> instance it is

> said that a bath in the ganges removes all sins. And

> once it was said

> that any one uttering lord Krishna's name even once

> would get

> liberated. However, this might actually make people

> refrain from

> uttering his name if they are not ready for

> liberation- they would

> like to enjoy wordly pleasures for some more time!!.

> So the condition

> was changed to ' If a person utters Krishna's name

> even once from the

> very depths of his heart he will get liberated'.

>

> The story of mine may not be very accurate but the

> import may be

> true. A Jivan muktha gets his liberation while alive

> and need not

> worry about where and how he is going to leave his

> mortal coil. For

> the others, who have this strong yearning for

> liberation and realize

> that they are not Jivan Muktas yet and that there

> are many binding

> Karmas, passing away and getting cremated in Benares

> may help.

> However, someone not seeking liberation may not get

> liberated even if

> he happens to die and get cremated in Kashi?

> Many Pranams

> Sridhar

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

After all a man may commit many

> sins and then be cremated at Varanasi. And then

> another person may have lived a very pious life at

> Kashi and have died elsewhere.

 

 

I read somewhere that according to the Hindu belief a

sinner who dies in Varanasi will be liberated but will

have to pay for his sins by suffering intensely for an

extremely short span of time. He manages to skip being

born again and again for his sins but has to bear an

equal amount of pain for a very short time, before

getting liberated. Probably that is why Siva is also

called the killer of Kala (time).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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