Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 79
पक्षिणां गरुडो यद्वत्सिंहोऽरण्यनिवासिनाम् । स्थानजानां तु विप्राणां श्रेष्ठोऽष्टकुलिकस्तथा
pakṣiṇāṃ garuḍo yadvatsiṃho'raṇyanivāsinām | sthānajānāṃ tu viprāṇāṃ śreṣṭho'ṣṭakulikastathā
Wie Garuḍa der Vornehmste unter den Vögeln ist und der Löwe der Vornehmste unter den Waldbewohnern, so ist unter den ortsgebürtigen Brahmanen der Aṣṭakulika gleicherweise der Erste.
Viśvāmitra (deduced)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Garuḍa spreads golden wings above a sacred precinct while a lion stands sentinel near the forest edge; at the center, an aṣṭakulika brāhmaṇa presides over orderly pilgrims at the ghāṭa, embodying protective authority.
FAQs
The verse underscores discernment (viveka) in dharmic practice: the most eminent should be recognized and honored for sacred acts.
The focus is on the tīrtha ‘place’ and its native ritual community; the named geography is not stated in this verse.
A general directive for tīrtha rites: prefer the foremost place-born Brāhmaṇa (Aṣṭakulika) for officiation and receiving offerings.