Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 42
गङ्गा षष्टिसहस्रैस्तु क्षेत्रपालैः प्रपूज्यते । तदर्धैरन्यतीर्थानि रक्षन्ते नात्र संशयः
gaṅgā ṣaṣṭisahasraistu kṣetrapālaiḥ prapūjyate | tadardhairanyatīrthāni rakṣante nātra saṃśayaḥ
Die Gaṅgā wird feierlich verehrt von sechzigtausend Kṣetrapālas, den Hütern des heiligen Bereichs. Mit der Hälfte dieser Zahl werden die übrigen Tīrthas beschützt—daran besteht kein Zweifel.
Skanda (deduced from Skanda Purana narrative framework)
Tirtha: Gaṅgā-tīrtha (archetypal reference)
Type: river
Scene: A wide Gaṅgā river vista with luminous kṣetrapālas stationed along ghāṭas and riverbanks, forming a protective ring; pilgrims offer añjali while the river glows with sanctity.
FAQs
Tīrthas are living sacred realms guarded by divine protectors; reverence and purity are demanded within them.
Gaṅgā as the paradigmatic tīrtha, contrasted with other tīrthas protected by fewer kṣetrapālas.
No specific rite is commanded; the verse establishes the doctrine of kṣetrapāla-guardianship and implied reverence.