Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 40
उपोष्य रजनीमेकां प्रातः श्राद्धं विधाय च । गणेशान्ब्राह्मणान्नत्वा भुक्त्वा प्रस्थितवान्सुधीः
upoṣya rajanīmekāṃ prātaḥ śrāddhaṃ vidhāya ca | gaṇeśānbrāhmaṇānnatvā bhuktvā prasthitavānsudhīḥ
Berpuasa semalam, lalu pada fajar melaksanakan upacara śrāddha. Sesudah itu ia bersujud hormat kepada Gaṇeśa dan para brāhmaṇa; setelah menyantap hidangan, sang bijak pun berangkat.
Skanda (deduced; Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī (journey commencement)
Type: kshetra
Scene: At dawn after a night’s fast, the dvija performs śrāddha with water and sesame, then bows before a Gaṇeśa shrine and respectfully greets brāhmaṇas; afterward he takes a simple meal and steps onto the road with staff and bundle.
FAQs
A sacred journey begins with gratitude and duty—honoring ancestors, seeking auspiciousness, and respecting the brāhmaṇas.
This verse focuses on preparatory rites; the subsequent verses name the pilgrimage tīrthas.
One-night fast (upoṣa), dawn śrāddha, bowing to Gaṇeśa and brāhmaṇas, then taking food before departure.