Vishalakshi (Kashi)

Vishalakshi (Viśālākṣī; Sanskrit: विशालाक्षी, “she who has large eyes”) is an epithet of the goddess Parvati. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words viśāla (“wide” or “large”) and akṣi (“eyes”); Parvati is described by this epithet in the Shiva Purana when Shiva first sees her. Annapurna, the goddess of food and a form of Parvati, is given the epithet Vishalakshi, the "wide-eyed". Her most famous temple stands at Varanasi, where patron goddess she is considered. The Skanda Purana narrates the tale of the sage Vyasa cursing Varanasi, as no one in the city offered him food. Finally, Vishalakshi appears in the form of a housewife and grants food to Vyasa. This role of Vishalakshi is similar to that of Annapurna, who offers food to her husband Shiva, whose hunger can be satiated by her food. Shiva gratified by Annapurna's food, establishes Varanasi and appoints her as its presiding goddess. The goddess Vishalakshi of the Varanasi temple may have been identified with Annapurna in early times, however over time became a distinct goddess, resulting in the two separate goddess temples. In the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana, Vishalakshi accompanies Vishwanath (a form of Shiva venerated in Kashi Vishwanath Temple) to grant a boon to the god Kubera. Another chapter from Kashi Khanda also offers her exultation. In the sacred geography of Varanasi, six points are said to symbolize Shastanga (six-fold) yoga, which is performing by visiting the six sites.