In Hinduism, life and death are spiritual experiences. Death is considered as a matter of celebration which liberates a soul from the cycle of reincarnation.
मरणं मंगलं यत्र विभूतिर्यत्र भूषणम् ।।
कौपीनं यत्र कौशेयं काशी कुत्रोपमीयते ।।
(स्कन्दपुराणम् – काशीखण्डः 4.2.53.87)
maraṇaṃ maṃgalaṃ yatra vibhūtiryatra bhūṣaṇam ।।
kaupīnaṃ yatra kauśeyaṃ kāśī kutropamīyate ।।
(skandapurāṇam – kāśīkhaṇḍaḥ 4.2.53.87)
Kāśī: The oldest city of the world
According to the ‘Skanda purāṇa’ the real name of Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) is Ānandavana, the eternal abode of Lord Shiva. Many residents are positive that Lord Shiva shall grant them mokṣa especially if they live within the bounds of the “Paṃcakrośī Mārga” which encompasses the area designated as “Kāśī.”
It is widely believed that Kāśī is the oldest inhabited city in the world. Indian scriptures describe this city as eternal, and even during the great flood, Kāśī survived and “remained on the tip of Shiva’s trident.” Many yearn to die in this mysterious city and thereby attain salvation.
Goddess Parvati once asked Lord Shiva to describe various Liṃgas in Kāśī. Lord Shiva narrated the story of the Liṃga installed by Yam Raj and how he made severe penances praying to Lord Shiva, standing on one leg and finally, on one toe. So pleased was Lord Shiva by this that he gave Yam Raj the title of ‘Dharm Raj’ and designated the Liṃga as ‘Dharmeshwar’. He instructed Yam Raj to treat the dead with justice, punishing sinners and rewarding the virtuous with heaven. He also said that by virtue of their pooja (prayer ceremony) the residents of Kashi should be free of sin. Thus to reside in Kāśī and lead a pious life provided them with salvation. This belief continues to this day and many from across India and the rest of the world retire in Kāśī in the hope of attaining mokṣa, such that Lord Shiva himself may whisper the ‘Tarakeshwar Mantra’ into their ear.
In her book Banaras: City of Light (1982), Diana Eck wrote: “For death in Kāśī is death transformed.” A famous saying goes: “Death in Kāśī is liberation” (Kāśyām maraṇam muktiḥ).
Dying unleashes the greatest holy power of Kāśī, the power of bestowing liberation. Death, which elsewhere is feared, here is welcomed as a long-expected guest” (Murata, 2004). People desire Mokṣa and a good death, dying at a holy place like Kāśī, at an auspicious time, with an unclouded mind. Many houses were built in close proximity of the Ganga Ghats to provide accommodation to those who have the desire to attain mokṣa. Examples of this, such as ‘Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavana’ and ‘Ganga Labh Bhavana’ still exist, but unfortunately, their popularity is declining. The word Kāśī-Labh refers to the fruit of Kāśī or mokṣa which means ‘release from the cycle of birth and death.’ Mumukṣu Bhavana, Assi is another prominent refuge for those seeking salvation in Kāśī.
Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavana
Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavana was started by the Late Mr. Jaidayal Dalmia and Mr. Vishnu Hari Dalmia in 1958 in the memory of their grandmother and is still funded by the Dalmia family. The main purpose behind the establishment of this Bhavana is to provide accommodation for those who want to breathe their last breath in Kāśī and attain mokṣa. This place provides a peaceful environment that helps visitors die in a peaceful and serene state.
People with a terminal illness or those who are on the verge of death are allowed to stay in one of the 12 rooms at Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavana. They can stay in these rooms for a maximum of 15 days with family members. If a family is not able to perform the final rituals, the Bhavana may provide financial help. Priests perform daily āratī, chant sacred mantras, and read the scriptures, to cater to the needs of the dying.22
No fear of death
People come here with a clear notion of death and mokṣa as it is believed that all who die in this area are granted liberation by Lord Shiva (Parry, J.P. 1981).
अन्यानि मुक्तिक्षेत्राणि काशीप्राप्तिकराणि च ।
काशीं प्राप्य विमुच्येत नान्यथा तीर्थकोटिभि: ।।
(स्कन्दपुराणम् – काशीखण्डः 4.1.6.71)
anyāni muktikṣetrāṇi kāśīprāptikarāṇi ca ।
kāśīṃ prāpya vimucyeta nānyathā tīrthakoṭibhiḥ ।।
(skandapurāṇam – kāśīkhaṇḍaḥ 4.1.6.71)
In Hinduism, it is believed that death is a natural phenomenon. Fear of death does not exist in Kāśī and death is even celebrated. Those for whom the aspiration of mokṣa seems abstract, simply aspire to a good death. Liberation is attained based on a person’s karma. A priest at Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavan reminds us that death is inevitable. “All those who are born must die. There is no need to fear death.” Each and every resident of this Bhavana accepts death. They see death as an act of liberation and union with God.
References
- Murata, K. (2004). “Who does Karma for This Body?” Death and Dying in Hindu Communities in Metropolitan Atlanta (Master’s Thesis, College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University). Retrieved from URL http://www.cas.gsu.edu/
- Parry, P. J. (1981). Death and Cosmogony in Kashi. Retrieved from URL https://www.academia.edu/32248863/Death_and_cosmogony_in_Kashi
- DNA India. https://cdn.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2018/04/24/674993-kashi-labh-mukti-bhavan.jpg
- Patrika.com. People come to Kashi Mukti Labh Bhawan for Moksha. (2018) https://new-img.patrika.com/upload/2018/12/23/587_3875359_835x547-m.jpg
- Dainikbhaskar.com. (2017) https://i10.dainikbhaskar.com/thumbnails/730×548/web2images/www.bhaskar.com/2017/12/05/z_1512471412.jpg
Footnotes
22. Spiritual end-of-life care: Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavana plays a pivotal role in providing a coveted environment for a good death through religious and spiritual activities. There is a pressing need in the field of healthcare to provide culturally appropriate spiritual end-of-life care. As of March 2020, Kāśī Lābha Mukti Bhavana has provided its service to 14,865 people. The Bhavana has served its noble cause by guiding 14,000 people in dying.
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