User:Nandanupadhyay/Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan

Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan is a hospice in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was established by Damilya Charitable Trust in 1958. Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan, a two-storied building situated near Godowlia crossing, has been serving the people for last 45 years. It accommodates only those people who are on death bed and believe in liberation (moksha) and come especially for Kashi-labh (spiritual benefit of staying in Kashi). It provides free accommodation to the dying person (called 'patients') and his family members for 15 days. The building may accommodate 10 such 'patients' at a time. Till now over 13,000 persons have enjoyed 'Kashi-labh' at the Mukti Bhawan.

Current Management
Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan is managed by Damliya Charitable Trust but the current manager of the building is Mr. Bhairav Nath Shukla with a few other people working as priests.

Importance of dying in Kashi
As per Hindu philosophy there are four stages of life called Ashrama. According to textual prescription, lives should be lived in four distinct stages each with different goals. The first stage is studenthood (brahmacharya), in which the goals are to become ritually functional and to prepare for future life. At marriage the Brahmin enters the householder stage (grihastha), the goals of which are the raising of a family, enjoyment and the acquisition of material wealth. When children are grown up and themselves beginning to marry, one should hand over one's business, centrate on spiritual goals (vanaprastha). The final stage is a radical renunciation (sanyasa) of all material possessions, home and even husband or wife. People from all four life stages are supposed to be attracted to Kashi where it is said they will more easily accomplish all four of the prescribed life goals (purusharthas). However, people from the final three life stages definitely do come specifically for the fourth and ultimate goal- moksha. Sanyasis are said to be bound for moksha no matter where they die but nevertheless Kashi is a major center for them and many have taken vows to never leave te city. Vanprasitis retire to Kashi to live out the rest of their days and eventually to die. `The divine couple residing in Kashi - Lord Vishwanath and Annapurna Devi, grant the Bhiksha of Moksha to all residents of Kashi' - so say the scriptures. Thus, Kashi has been described as the foremost among the Mokshapuris. Kashi Khanda - which forms the fourth chapter of the Skanda Purana, describes the limitless glory of the sacred capital of Sri Vishwanatha.

At the end of the Kalpa, the three qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas dissolved into a state of equilibrium, leading to pralaya, which resulted in the disappearance of the entire creation including the pancha bhoot stalam. With the intention of creation, Lord Mahadeva appeared as Narayana,sporting Sudarshana chakra, Pāñcajanya, Gada (mace) and Padma in his four hands. After several Yuga, Brahma appeared seated on a lotus that originated from the navel of Narayana. Due to maya (illusion) of Lord shiva, Brahma was filled with Ahamkara and assumed himself to be the master of the cosmos. Sensing Brahma's ignorance, Narayana appeared in front of him and asked him, "Who are you?", to awaken him from the slumber of ignorance. Brahma replied, "I am Ishwara - Lord of everything". When Narayana tried to explain the true glory of the Adi Purusha, Brahma angrily attacked Narayana. This lead to a fierce and inconclusive battle between the two, which lasted for several Yugas.

Then, all of a sudden, a Lingam of immense brightness appeared in front of them, extending beyond the reach of their vision, both in length and breadth. Within the Linga, a divine form having five faces appeared. Both Brahma and Narayana were filled with devotion at the sight of the Divine form and immediately prostrated before him. The divine Purusha addressed them thus: "I am pleased with your devotion. Seek a boon". Both Narayana and Brahma said, "Lord! If you are truly pleased with our devotion, please grant true and everlasting devotion in the divine Linga that has appeared before us. Also tell us why the Linga has appeared here and what its name is?" The Lord replied thus: "This Linga is called Vishweshwara Linga. In days to come, by merely seeing this Linga, people will be freed of all their sins and will earn the merit of Yajna, Dāna and Tirtha Yatra. The location where this Linga has appeared is very special and the creature which gives up its body in this place will be granted Brahma Jnana and hence Moksha, by the Upadesha of Taraka Mantra from Ishwara. This Linga will be present here eternally even after cycles of Maha Pralaya. Attain your desires by worshipping this Linga". Having advised thus, the great Purusha disappeared.Some claim that Lord Mahadeva utters Rama mantra in the ear of a dying person in Kashi and grants him Moksha.

That divine place where the Jyotirlinga appeared to Brahma and Narayana even before the creation of Pancha Bhutas is what we know today as Kashi or Varanasi. Kashi has attracted devotees and Mumukshus in all the four Yugas. Irrespective of one's Varna and Ashrama, the Lord frees a dying creature in Kashi from the cycle of birth and death by Brahmopadesha. However, those who commit sins knowingly in this sacred city will attain Rudra Pishacha Yoni and will be punished by Bhairavas till they are absolved of their sins. Kashi is the Avimukta Kshetra of Lord Mahadeva. Thirty-three crore Devatas reside in Kashi, ever worshiping Lord Mahadeva and Bhagavati Bhavani.