Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.3846

c9.3846

1) The name Vārāṇasī. Formerly this place was known as Prayāga. Later it got the name Vārāṇasī and then Kāśī. The name Vārāṇasī is originated from two rivers. Bhagavān Yogaśāyī who stays in Prayāga was born from a portion of Mahāviṣṇu. From the right leg of Yogaśāyī the river Varaṇā started and from his left leg the river Asi started. These two rivers are praised and worshipped all over the world. The temple of Yogaśāyī is situated in the place between these two rivers. As the place is situated between Varaṇā and Asi it is called Vārāṇasī. (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 3).