Shiv Tarak Mantra: If you ever hear Kashyam Maranam Mukti: during your trip to Kashi, instead of being surprised, try to understand it. It means, ‘In Kashi, death leads to salvation.’ Kashi, also known as Varanasi or Banaras, is one of the oldest living cities in the world.

According to Skanda Purana, it is mentioned in the Kashi section that after death in Varanasi, a person gets freedom from the cycle of birth and death. It is also considered a centuries old city.

Attainment of salvation through Tarak Mantra

It is believed that the city of Banaras was created by Lord Shiva himself and is situated on his trident. Death is not considered a fear in Kashi. Whenever a Hindu dies here, he is taken to Manikarnika Ghat in Kashi for the last rites.

Then it is believed that Lord Shiva himself chants the Tarak Mantra in the ears of the departed soul and after which the soul attains salvation.

It is believed that this mantra breaks the soul’s connection with the material world and one attains immediate salvation. According to beliefs, in the very holy city of Varanasi, instead of Yama, the god of death, Lord Shiva provides salvation to the soul.

Goddess Parvati first got the knowledge of Tarak Mantra.

This Tarak Mantra is the name of Ram, which is made up of two mantras, the octave letter ‘Om Namo Narayanay’ and the five letter ‘Namah Shivay’. According to mythological traditions, Lord Shiva first told Goddess Parvati about Tarak Mantra. It is also believed that by chanting Tarak Mantra one gets the same results as Vishnu Sahastranam.

Seen from a philosophical perspective, it reflects the main ideas of Hinduism. Tarak Mantra symbolizes spiritual freedom from the material world under the prime guidance of Lord Shiva.