Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 49

Devanagari script

अथावसरमालोक्य लोकचक्षुरधोक्षजम् । नत्वा विज्ञापयामास कृतानुज्ञोऽसुरारिणा

Transliteration

athāvasaramālokya lokacakṣuradhokṣajam | natvā vijñāpayāmāsa kṛtānujño'surāriṇā

Translation

Then, seeing the proper moment, the Eye of the world (Sūrya) bowed to Adhokṣaja, and, having been granted permission by the Foe of the asuras, submitted his request.

Word by Word

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भसूचक (then)

• अवसरम्: opportunity
• अवसरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• आलोक्य: having seen
• आलोक्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-लोक् (धातु; √लोक्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; (having seen)

• लोकचक्षुः: the eye of the world
• लोकचक्षुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; लोकस्य चक्षुः = eye of the world (epithet)

• अधोक्षजम्: Adhokṣaja (Vishnu)
• अधोक्षजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधोक्षज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विष्णोः नाम

• नत्वा: having bowed
• नत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नम् (धातु; √नम्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; (having bowed)

• विज्ञापयामास: submitted/informed
• विज्ञापयामास: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-ज्ञा (धातु; √ज्ञा)
• Form: लिट् (परिपूर्णभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच् (causative) → विज्ञापयति (to inform/request)

• कृतानुज्ञः: having obtained permission
• कृतानुज्ञः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ, क्त) + अनुज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कृतानुज्ञः = कृत-अनुज्ञः (one who has obtained permission)

• असुरारिणा: by the enemy of the demons
• असुरारिणा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; असुराणाम् अरिः = enemy of the demons (Vishnu)

Speaker

Narrator (contextual purāṇic narration within Kāśīkhaṇḍa)

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra

Type: kshetra

Visual Art Cues

Scene: Sūrya, ‘eye of the world,’ waits attentively, then bows to Viṣṇu (Adhokṣaja). With permission granted, he begins to present his request—hands folded, posture humble, radiance contained.

Characters & Entities

• Sūrya (Loka-cakṣuḥ)
• Viṣṇu (Adhokṣaja)
• Asuras

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Approach the Divine with timing, humility, and permission—dharma includes the right manner of seeking wisdom.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

Kāśī is the overarching sacred setting; the verse supports the Kṣetra’s teaching atmosphere rather than naming a specific tīrtha.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

No direct ritual; the implied discipline is namaskāra and respectful inquiry.