Kashi Panchakam
काशी पञ्चकम्
Origin & Story
Ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · Classical
The Kashi Panchakam is traditionally ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya’s five verses on Kashi (Varanasi) — revealing the holy city not only as a place but as the inner seat of consciousness: the stilling of the mind is Kashi, and the light of awareness its eternal Ganga.
✦ As told in scripture
It is said that to recite the Kashi Panchakam with a sincere and devoted heart is to draw near to the grace of the divine, which never forsakes those who lovingly call upon it.
The Mantra
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मनोनिवृत्तिः परमोपशान्तिः सा तीर्थवर्या मणिकर्णिका च । ज्ञानप्रवाहा विमलादिगङ्गा सा काशिकाहं निजबोधरूपा ॥ १॥ यस्यामिदं कल्पितमिन्द्रजालं चराचरं भाति मनोविलासम् । सच्चित्सुखैका परमात्मरूपा सा काशिकाहं निजबोधरूपा ॥ २॥ इन्द्रवज्रा छन्द - कोशेषु पञ्चस्वधिराजमाना बुद्धिर्भवानी प्रतिदेहगेहम् । साक्षी शिवः सर्वगतोऽन्तरात्मा सा काशिकाहं निजबोधरूपा ॥ ३॥ अनुष्टुप् छन्द - काश्यां हि काश्यते काशी काशी सर्वप्रकाशिका । सा काशी विदिता येन तेन प्राप्ता हि काशिका ॥ ४॥ स्रग्धरा छन्द - काशीक्षेत्रं शरीरं त्रिभुवन-जननी व्यापिनी ज्ञानगङ्गा । भक्तिः श्रद्धा गयेयं निजगुरु-चरणध्यानयोगः प्रयागः । विश्वेशोऽयं तुरीयः सकलजन-मनःसाक्षिभूतोऽन्तरात्मा देहे सर्वं मदीये यदि वसति पुनस्तीर्थमन्यत्किमस्ति ॥ ५॥ इति श्रीमद् शङ्कराचार्यविरचितं काशीपञ्चकं समाप्तम् ।
manonivṛttiḥ paramopaśāntiḥ sā tīrthavaryā maṇikarṇikā ca | jñānapravāhā vimalādigaṅgā sā kāśikāhaṃ nijabodharūpā || 1|| yasyāmidaṃ kalpitamindrajālaṃ carācaraṃ bhāti manovilāsam | saccitsukhaikā paramātmarūpā sā kāśikāhaṃ nijabodharūpā || 2|| indravajrā chanda - kośeṣu pañcasvadhirājamānā buddhirbhavānī pratidehageham | sākṣī śivaḥ sarvagato'ntarātmā sā kāśikāhaṃ nijabodharūpā || 3|| anuṣṭup chanda - kāśyāṃ hi kāśyate kāśī kāśī sarvaprakāśikā | sā kāśī viditā yena tena prāptā hi kāśikā || 4|| sragdharā chanda - kāśīkṣetraṃ śarīraṃ tribhuvana-jananī vyāpinī jñānagaṅgā | bhaktiḥ śraddhā gayeyaṃ nijaguru-caraṇadhyānayogaḥ prayāgaḥ | viśveśo'yaṃ turīyaḥ sakalajana-manaḥsākṣibhūto'ntarātmā dehe sarvaṃ madīye yadi vasati punastīrthamanyatkimasti || 5|| iti śrīmad śaṅkarācāryaviracitaṃ kāśīpañcakaṃ samāptam |
Meaning:Adi Shankaracharya’s five verses on Kashi (Varanasi) — revealing the holy city not only as a place but as the inner seat of consciousness: the stilling of the mind is Kashi, and the light of awareness its eternal Ganga.
Benefits of Chanting Kashi Panchakam
Recitation of the Kashi Panchakam is held to bring the grace, blessings and protection of the deity.
Cultivates devotion, calms the mind and steadies the heart in the Lord’s remembrance.
Most auspicious on Mondays, and during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan.
A treasured Sanskrit hymn, suitable for daily recitation with faith.
How to Chant Kashi Panchakam
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image of the deity. Light a lamp and recite the Kashi Panchakam slowly and with devotion. It may be chanted daily, or especially on Mondays and during Maha Shivaratri and Shravan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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