गङ्गातरङ्गरमणीयजटाकलापं
गौरीनिरन्तरविभूषितवामभागम् ।
नारायणप्रियमनङ्गमदापहारं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥१॥
Ganggaa-Tarangga-Ramanniiya-Jattaa-Kalaapam
Gaurii-Nirantara-Vibhuussita-Vaama-Bhaagam |
Naaraayanna-Priyam-Anangga-Madaa-
[A]pahaaram
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||1||
Meaning:
1.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) Whose
Matted Hair forming a
Beautiful Bundle, is
Beautifully decorated with the
Streams of
River Ganga,
1.2: Whose
Left-Half is
always adorned by
Devi Gauri (the Universal Shakti),
1.3: Who is
Dear to
Sri Narayana, and Who has
destroyed the
Pride of
Ananga (Kamadeva),
1.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

वाचामगोचरमनेकगुणस्वरूपं
वागीशविष्णुसुरसेवितपादपीठम् ।
वामेन विग्रहवरेण कलत्रवन्तं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥२॥
Vaacaam-Agocaram-Aneka-Gunna-Svaruupam
Vaagiisha-Vissnnu-Sura-Sevita-Paada-Piittham |
Vaamena Vigraha-Varenna Kalatravantam
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||2||
Meaning:
2.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) Who is the
embodiment of many
Gunas (Divine Attributes) which are
beyond the
Speech,
2.2: The
Seat of Whose Divine
Feet is
served by Sri
Brahma,
Vishnu and
Suras,
2.3: Who, by the
Beautiful-Form of His
Left-Half is one with His
Consort,
2.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

भूताधिपं भुजगभूषणभूषिताङ्गं
व्याघ्राजिनाम्बरधरं जटिलं त्रिनेत्रम् ।
पाशाङ्कुशाभयवरप्रदशूलपाणिं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥३॥
Bhuuta-Adhipam Bhujaga-Bhuussanna-Bhuussita-Anggam
Vyaaghra-Ajina-Ambara-Dharam Jattilam Tri-Netram |
Paasha-Angkusha-Abhaya-Vara-Prada-Shuula-Paannim
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||3||
Meaning:
3.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) Who is the
Lord of the
Beings and Whose
Body is
adorned with the
ornaments of
Serpents,
3.2: Who
wear the
Skin of a
Tiger as His
Garment, Whose
Hair is
Matted and Who has
Three Eyes,
3.3: Who holds
Pasha (Noose),
Angkusha (Hook),
grants Fearlessness and
Boons, and holds His
Trident in His
Hand,
3.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

शीतांशुशोभितकिरीटविराजमानं
भालेक्षणानलविशोषितपञ्चबाणम् ।
नागाधिपारचितभासुरकर्णपूरं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥४॥
Shiitaamshu-Shobhita-Kiriitta-Viraajamaanam
Bhaale
[a-Ii]kssanna-Anala-Vishossita-Pan.cabaannam |
Naaga-Adhipa-
[A]aracita-Bhaasura-Karnnapuuram
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||4||
Meaning:
4.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) The
Shining Cool-Rayed Moon serves as Whose
Diadem,
4.2: The
Fire of Whose (Third)
Eye from the
Forehead consumed the
Five Arrows (of Kamdeva),
4.3: The
King of
Serpents are Whose
Shining Ear-Rings,
4.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

पञ्चाननं दुरितमत्तमतङ्गजानां
नागान्तकं दनुजपुङ्गवपन्नगानाम् ।
दावानलं मरणशोकजराटवीनां
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥५॥
Pan.caananam Durita-Matta-Matanggajaanaam
Naaga-Antakam Danuja-Punggava-Pannagaanaam |
Daavaanalam Maranna-Shoka-Jaraa-
[A]ttaviinaam
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||5||
Meaning:
5.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) Who is like a
Lion, subduing the
Elephants of
Sins and
Passions (within us),
5.2: Who is like a
Garuda, slaying the
Serpents of
Daityas (Demons) (within us),
5.3: Who is like a
Forest Fire, burning the
Forest of
Sorrows of
Death and
Old Age (within us),
5.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

तेजोमयं सगुणनिर्गुणमद्वितीयम्_
आनन्दकन्दमपराजितमप्रमेयम्
नागात्मकं सकलनिष्कलमात्मरूपं ।
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥६॥
Tejomayam Sagunna-Nirgunnam-Advitiiyam_
Aananda-Kandam-Aparaajitam-Aprameyam
Naaga-
[A]atmakam Sakala-Nisskalam-Aatmaruupam |
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||6||
Meaning:
6.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) Who is filled with
Spiritual Splendour (Tejomaya), Who can assume a form with
Gunas (Qualities or Attributes) as well as abide as the
Non-dual expanse
beyond all
Gunas (Qualities or Attributes),
6.2: Whose essential nature
overflows with
Bliss which is
Unsurpassed by anything and is
beyond all
Measures,
6.3: Whose body is
adorned with
Serpents, and Whose essential
nature is merged in
Atman,
Complete and
Undivided (expanse of Chidakasha),
6.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

रागादिदोषरहितं स्वजनानुरागं
वैराग्यशान्तिनिलयं गिरिजासहायम् ।
माधुर्यधैर्यसुभगं गरलाभिरामं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥७॥
Raaga-
[A]adi-Dossa-Rahitam Svajana-Anuraagam
Vairaagya-Shaanti-Nilayam Girijaa-Sahaayam |
Maadhurya-Dhairya-Subhagam Garala-Abhiraamam
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||7||
Meaning:
7.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) Who is
free from all
vices like
Raga (Passion) and
others, and Who is
graceful to the
Devotees,
7.2: Who is an
abode of
Peace born of
Vairagya (freedom from Worldly Desires), and Whose
Companion is
Devi Girija (the Universal Shakti),
7.3: Who exhibits the
Sweetness of
Patience, Whose presence is
Auspicious, and Whose Throat is
beautifully adorned with the mark of
Poison,
7.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

आशां विहाय परिहृत्य परस्य निन्दां
पापे रतिं च सुनिवार्य मनः समाधौ ।
आदाय हृत्कमलमध्यगतं परेशं
वाराणसीपुरपतिं भज विश्वनाथम् ॥८॥
Aashaam Vihaaya Parihrtya Parasya Nindaam
Paape Ratim Ca Sunivaarya Manah Samaadhau |
Aadaaya Hrt-Kamala-Madhyagatam Paresham
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Patim Bhaja Vishvanaatham ||8||
Meaning:
8.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha)
Leaving behind all
Desires, and
keeping away from (the habit of)
censuring others, ...
8.2: ...
Restraining from
Pleasure in
Sins, merge the
Mind in
Meditation, ...
8.3: ...
taking hold of the
Supreme Being within the
Lotus of the
Heart,
8.4: Worship that
Vishwanatha, Who is the
Lord of the
City of
Kashi,

वाराणसीपुरपतेः स्तवनं शिवस्य
व्याख्यातमष्टकमिदं पठते मनुष्यः
विद्यां श्रियं विपुलसौख्यमनन्तकीर्तिं
सम्प्राप्य देहविलये लभते च मोक्षम् ॥९॥
Vaaraannasii-Pura-Pateh Stavanam Shivasya
Vyaakhyaatam-Assttakam-Idam Patthate Manussyah
Vidyaam Shriyam Vipula-Saukhyam-Ananta-Kiirtim
Sampraapya Deha-Vilaye Labhate Ca Mokssam ||9||
Meaning:
9.1: (I Reverentially Bow down to Sri Vishwanatha) The
Stava (Eulogy, Praise) of
Shiva, the
Lord of the
City of
Varanasi, ...
9.2: ... the
Exposition of
this Ashtakam (Hymn of Eight Verses), those
Persons who
recite, ...
9.3: ...
Vidya (Learning, Knowledge),
Sriya (Prosperity),
abundant Joy and
endless Fame ...
9.4: ... will be
attained by them; and after their
body falls (i.e. after death), they will
attain Liberation.

Note: Click over each Sanskrit word to get the meaning.
Click
here to open the meanings in a new window.
Translated by greenmesg
Kashi Kshetra - Moksha Puri, Created by Lord Shiva, Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga and Varanasi Shakti Peetha:

-
Kashi (Varanasi)
(Moksha Puri)
(Jyotirlinga)
(Shakti Peetha)
(Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh)
Shiva:
Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga, Kalabhairava
Devi:
Devi Vishalakshi , Devi Annapoorna, Devi Durga, Yogini
Vishnu:
Bindu Madhava
Ganesha:
Dhundiraj Vinayaka & others (56 Vinayakas)
Hanuman:
Sankat Mochan Hanuman
Surya:
Lolarka & others (12 Adityas)
Others:
Dandapani Temple
- Kashi is the place created by Lord Shiva and where Lord Shiva abides as Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga.
- Kashi is the place where Devi abides as Varanasi Shakti Peetha.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Vishnu abides as Bindu Madhava.
- Kashi is the place where Sri Ganesha abides in 56 forms, the most famous of which is Dhundiraj Vinayaka.
- Kashi is the place where Surya deva abides in 12 forms, the most famous of which is Lolarka.
Sages:
Agastya,
Jaigishavya,
Agnibindu,
Shukracharya
- Kashi is the place where sage Agastya had his hermitage and from where he migrated towards the South to supress the rising Vindhya mountain.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva gave darshan to sage Jaigishavya for his austerity of devotion towards Him.
- Kashi is the place where Lord Vishnu gave darshan to sage Agnibindu for his penance (Bindu Madhava form).
- Kashi is the place where sage Shukracharya performed penance and got the Mritasanjeevani Vidya from Lord Shiva.
Saints:
Adi Shankaracharya,
Trailanga Swami (
Trailanga Swami Ashram),
Baba Lokenath,
Ramakrishna Paramahamsha
- Kashi is the place where Lord Shiva appeared before Sri Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?) as a chandala with four dogs in order to test him.
- Kashi is the place where Sri Trailanga Swami (1607 - 1887 CE) lived for many years and performed many miraculous deeds.
- Kashi is the place where Baba Lokenath (1730 - 1890 CE) lived for sometime as a disciple of Sri Trailanga Swami.
- Kashi is the place where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha (1836 - 1886 CE) visited during his pilgrimage and met Sri Trailanga Swami. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsha also had a vision of Lord Shiva imparting the Taraka mantra.
▬ River
Ganga flows →
Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat (Aarti)
▬ River
Varana flows
▬ River
Asi flows
Related Festivals:
-
Maha Shivaratri: Celebrates the cosmic union of Shiva and Shakti (
Kashi Vishwanath)
-
Bhairava Ashtami: Celebrates the manifestation of Lord Kalabhairava (
Kashi Kalabhairava)
-
Sharadiya Navaratri: Celebrates the victory of Devi Durga over demon Mahishasura (Good over Evil) (
Kashi Vishalakshi) (
Kashi Durga)
-
Devi Annapoorna Puja and Annakut: Worships Devi Annapoorna; Large amounts of food (Annakut) are offered to Devi Annapoorna and free food is distributed to people (
Kashi Annapoorna)
-
Shayani Ekadasi: Marks the day when Lord Vishnu enters in the Yogic slumber; Marks the beginning of Chaturmasa (
Kashi Bindu Madhav)
-
Prabodhini Ekadasi: Marks the day when Lord Vishnu awakens from the Yogic slumber; Celebrations are held in Vaishnava temples (
Kashi Bindu Madhav)
-
Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrates the appearance of Sri Ganesha (
Kashi Vinayakas)
-
Chhath Puja: Gratitude is expressed to Surya deva (Sun God), the visible manifestation of divinity, for the various life-sustaining blessings on Earth
-
Ganga Dussehra: Celebrates the descent of river
Ganga from Heaven to Earth (
Ganga)
-
Kartik Poornima: Holy Bathing in Sacred River (
Ganga) (
Dev Deepavali)
(Shiva Purana) (Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda)
•
Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka
•
Creation of Kashi
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 26)
•
Creation of Manikarnika in Kashi (
Manikarnika Ghat)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 26)
•
Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga - Lord Shiva creating Kashi and abiding there as Avimukteshwara Linga (
Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga)
(Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 22 to 23)
•
Varanasi Shakti Peetha: I meditate on the Varanasi Shakti Peetha where the
Kundala (Ear-Ring) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as
Vishalakshi and the Bhairava is called
Kalabhairava. (
Devi Vishalakshi Temple)
(Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 30)
•
Advent of river Ganga in Kashi
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 30)
•
Creation of Kalabhairava in Kashi (
Kalabhairava Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 31)
•
Appearance of Dandapani in Kashi (
Dandapani Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 32)
•
Appearance of 64 Yoginis in Kashi (
Yogini Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 45)
•
Appearance of 12 Adityas in Kashi (
Lolorka Temple & others)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 46)
•
Appearance of Lord Brahma in Kashi (Yagnas in
Dashashwamedh Ghat)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 52)
•
Appearance of Shiva Ganas in Kashi
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 53 to 54)
•
Appearance of 56 Vinayakas in Kashi (
Dhundiraj Vinayaka Temple & others)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 55 to 57)
Appearance of Lord Vishnu in Kashi (
Bindu Madhav Temple)
(Skanda Purana - Kashi Khanda - 58, 60 to 61)