Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 46

Devanagari script

विज्ञाताखिलशास्त्रार्थो लौकिकाचारचंचुरः । कदाचिच्चिंतयामास हृदि ध्यात्वा महेश्वरम्

Transliteration

vijñātākhilaśāstrārtho laukikācāracaṃcuraḥ | kadācicciṃtayāmāsa hṛdi dhyātvā maheśvaram

Translation

He had understood the meanings of all the śāstras and was adept in proper worldly conduct. Once, having meditated upon Maheśvara within his heart, he began to reflect deeply.

Word by Word

• विज्ञात-अखिल-शास्त्र-अर्थः: one who has understood the meanings of all scriptures
• विज्ञात-अखिल-शास्त्र-अर्थः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विज्ञात (कृदन्त) + अखिल + शास्त्र + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (अखिलशास्त्राणाम् अर्थः येन विज्ञातः); विशेषण

• लौकिक-आचार-चञ्चुरः: active in worldly conduct
• लौकिक-आचार-चञ्चुरः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लौकिक + आचार + चञ्चुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (लौकिके आचारे चञ्चुरः); विशेषण

• कदाचित्: at some time, once
• कदाचित्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• चिन्तयामास: pondered, thought
• चिन्तयामास: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• हृदि: in (his) heart
• हृदि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated
• ध्यात्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया

• महेश्वरम्: Mahēśvara (Śiva)
• महेश्वरम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Gaṇas (narrating)

Skanda Dialogue

Listener: Frame-audience (implied)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A learned sage pauses from study; eyes half-closed, he visualizes Maheśvara in the heart-lotus. The background shows manuscripts and a calm riverbank; the moment is a narrative hinge from scholarship to existential inquiry.

Characters & Entities

• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Viśvānara (implied)

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Scriptural learning becomes fruitful when joined with inner meditation on Śiva and thoughtful discernment about right living.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

The narrative remains anchored in the sacred storyline that ultimately connects to Kāśī’s māhātmya, though this verse itself focuses on inner practice.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

Dhyāna (meditation) on Maheśvara in the heart is implied as a spiritual practice.