Skanda Purana — Vishnu Khanda, Shloka 34
पद्मोत्फुल्लशुभोदाभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिता । देवतायतनैर्दिव्यैर्वेदघोषैश्च मण्डिता
padmotphullaśubhodābhirvāpībhirupaśobhitā | devatāyatanairdivyairvedaghoṣaiśca maṇḍitā
শুভ জলে ভৰা পুষ্পিত পদ্মে শোভিত বাপীসমূহে অযোধ্যা অধিক মনোহৰ; দিৱ্য দেবালয়ে অলংকৃত, আৰু বেদপাঠৰ ধ্বনিত গুঞ্জনে দীপ্তিময়।
Brahmā (deduced for Vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍa narrative context)
Tirtha: Ayodhyā-vāpī/vāpīs (lotus ponds)
Type: kund
Scene: Lotus-filled ponds shimmer with auspicious water; along their edges stand small and large shrines; brahmins chant Veda, sound waves suggested through rhythmic lines; lamps and flags flutter.
FAQs
A holy city is recognized by purity of waters, presence of देवालय (temples), and living Vedic sound—outer beauty reflecting inner dharma.
Ayodhyā, praised as a sacred city marked by lotus ponds, deity-shrines, and Vedic recitation.
No explicit rite is commanded; the verse highlights Veda-ghoṣa (Vedic chanting) and temple worship as natural features of the sacred place.