पंथानं नैकलो यायान्न वार्यंजलिना पिबेत् । न दिवोद्भूत सारं च भक्षयेद्दधिनो निशि
paṃthānaṃ naikalo yāyānna vāryaṃjalinā pibet | na divodbhūta sāraṃ ca bhakṣayeddadhino niśi
Man soll den Weg nicht allein gehen und kein Wasser trinken, das man mit zusammengelegten Händen schöpft. Und nachts soll man nicht die am Tage aufgestiegene «Essenz» essen, nämlich geronnene Milch/Quark oder deren obere Schicht.
Skanda (deduced for Kāśīkhaṇḍa dialogue context)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: Two pilgrims walk together on a road toward Kāśī; at a wayside well/ghat one drinks from a small lotā instead of cupped hands; at night a simple meal is served without curd, under a lamp near a dharmaśālā.
A pilgrim’s dharma includes cautious travel, cleanliness in drinking, and mindful diet—supporting steadiness for sacred practice.
Kāśī’s broader yātrā-culture is the frame; the verse gives general guidance for those moving within sacred Kāśī.
Dietary and conduct restrictions (niyamas) rather than a formal ritual.