Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 77
इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तेषां देवश्चंद्रविभूषणः । तथेत्युक्त्वा पुनः प्राह शृणुध्वं द्विजपुंगवाः
iti śrutvā vacasteṣāṃ devaścaṃdravibhūṣaṇaḥ | tathetyuktvā punaḥ prāha śṛṇudhvaṃ dvijapuṃgavāḥ
Hearing their words, the Lord—adorned with the moon—said, “So be it.” Then, speaking again, he addressed them: “Listen, O best of the twice-born.”
Śiva (Candravibhūṣaṇa)
Listener: dvija-puṅgavas (brāhmaṇas)
Scene: Moon-crested Śiva, serene and authoritative, addresses a circle of attentive brāhmaṇas, signaling the start of a boon-giving discourse in Kāśī.
FAQs
Śiva responds with assent and calls for attentive listening—devotional instruction begins with receptivity and faith.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), in the context of the Vyāghreśvara-liṅga narrative of Kāśīkhaṇḍa.
No direct rite is prescribed here; it introduces Śiva’s forthcoming assurance and teaching.