Lord Shiva & Kashi: Kashi is considered the city of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the city of Kashi rests on the trident of Lord Shiva. This city is very dear to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is present here in the form of Jyotirlinga. Kashi is also called the city that provides salvation. It is believed that here Lord Shiva himself provides salvation to the deceased souls. This is the reason why Yama's messengers do not enter this city.
However, there came a time when Lord Shiva was forced to leave his beloved city. The reason behind Lord Shiva leaving Kashi city was a religious king, whose name was Divodas. Let us know this mythological story.
According to the legend, Lord Shiva was residing in Kashi with his wife Goddess Parvati, but the gods and sages desired that only humans should rule Kashi. Because if it is not managed properly then these characteristics will be lost. So he made a plan so that Lord Shiva would leave Kashi and reside at Kailash. The gods wanted to hand over the kingdom of Kashi to Divodas.
However, Divodas placed a condition that he would go to Kashi only when Shivji left Kashi. The king said that I will not be able to rule Kashi during the presence of Lord Shiva. After listening to Divodas' condition, the gods requested Lord Shiva to leave Kashi. Lord accepted the request of the gods and left his beloved city Kashi. King Divodas was a religious person.
Justice, truth and religion were the identity of his state. Divodas established such a religious kingdom, where people started following religion through their deeds. Mahadev sitting on Kailash was looking again and again at his beloved city Kashi. It was not acceptable for him to stay away from his beloved city. Then Mahadev told the gods that Kashi is mine and the time has come for me to return there again, but the problem was King Divodas.
His kingdom was so religious that no one was able to find fault in his rule. Then Mahadev sent 64 Yoginis to Kashi. He was given the task of finding any flaw in the king's kingdom. The Yoginis reached Kashi and were surprised by whatever they saw there. The Yoginis were so impressed by the splendor and sanctity of Kashi that instead of returning, they started living there.
When the Yoginis did not return, Lord Shiva sent Sun God to Kashi. Kashi also affected the Sun. He also did not find any fault in Kashi. Sun God was so impressed by the glory of Kashi that he became enshrined there. At last Mahadev sent his younger son Ganesh ji to Kashi. His objective was to inspire King Divodas towards renunciation.
He explained to the king that even the great kingdom of the world falls one day. Only salvation is eternal. Ultimately King Divodas abdicated the kingdom. Then Lord Shiva again returned to Kashi. Since then Kashi is considered to be the eternal and imperishable city of Lord Shiva.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
