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Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 19

तावद्धैर्यंचलाक्षीणां तावच्चेतोविवेकिता । यावन्नार्थी विविक्तस्थो विविक्तेर्थिनि नान्यथा

tāvaddhairyaṃcalākṣīṇāṃ tāvaccetovivekitā | yāvannārthī viviktastho vivikterthini nānyathā

La constance des yeux changeants et le discernement de l’esprit ne durent que tant que le séducteur n’est pas seul avec la femme qui cherche l’isolement ; autrement, jamais.

तावत्so long; only up to that extent
तावत्:
Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतावत् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
Formपरिमाण/अवधि-वाचक-अव्यय (so long/that much)
धैर्यम्steadfastness/courage
धैर्यम्:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootधैर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन
चलाक्षीणाम्of the fickle-eyed women
चलाक्षीणाम्:
Sambandha (Genitive relation)
TypeNoun
Rootचल + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन
तावत्so long; only up to that extent
तावत्:
Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतावत् (अव्यय)
Formपरिमाण/अवधि-वाचक-अव्यय
चेतोविवेकिताmental discernment
चेतोविवेकिता:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootचेतस् + विवेकिता (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (चेतसः विवेकिता = 'discernment of mind')
यावत्as long as
यावत्:
Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयावत् (अव्यय)
Formअवधि-वाचक-अव्यय (as long as)
not
:
Kriya-visheshana (Negation)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootन (अव्यय)
Formनिषेधार्थक-अव्यय
अर्थीa suitor; one who desires (wealth/goal)
अर्थी:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootअर्थिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
विविक्तस्थःbeing in a secluded place
विविक्तस्थः:
Karta-visheshana (Subject qualifier)
TypeAdjective
Rootविविक्त + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष (विविक्ते स्थः = 'standing/being in solitude')
विविक्तेin seclusion; in a lonely place
विविक्ते:
Adhikarana (Location)
TypeNoun
Rootविविक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग (or पुंलिङ्ग usage), सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन
अर्थिनिwhen the suitor is (there)
अर्थिनि:
Adhikarana (Location/Context)
TypeNoun
Rootअर्थिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन
not
:
Kriya-visheshana (Negation)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootन (अव्यय)
Formनिषेधार्थक-अव्यय
अन्यथाotherwise
अन्यथा:
Kriya-visheshana (Manner)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअन्यथा (अव्यय)
Formरीत्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb: otherwise)

Narrator (context within Kāśīkhaṇḍa; likely Skanda to Agastya)

Tirtha: Kāśī

Type: kshetra

Scene: An allegorical depiction: a ‘bridge’ of discernment threatened by a flood of desire; or a near-private meeting scene where the mind’s lamp of discrimination flickers.

FAQs

Viveka collapses under unchecked temptation; dharma therefore emphasizes restraint, boundaries, and mindful association.

The setting is within the Kāśī-khaṇḍa (Kāśī/Vārāṇasī), but this verse functions as general moral instruction rather than tīrtha-praise.

None directly; it implicitly supports brahmacarya-like discipline and careful conduct.