Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 14

Devanagari script

पद्मरागप्रवालाख्यरत्नकुंकुमवंति च । गोमेदपुष्परागेंद्र नीलसन्माल्यभांजि च

Transliteration

padmarāgapravālākhyaratnakuṃkumavaṃti ca | gomedapuṣparāgeṃdra nīlasanmālyabhāṃji ca

Translation

അവർ പദ്മരാഗം, പ്രവാളം മുതലായ രത്നചൂർണ്ണത്തിൽ നിന്നുള്ള ശുഭ കുങ്കുമം ധരിച്ചു അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടവരായി; ഗോമേദകം, പുഷ്പരാഗം, നീലമണി എന്നിവയും ഉത്തമ മാല്യങ്ങളും ധരിച്ചു ശോഭിച്ച് എത്തി।

Word by Word

• पद्मरागप्रवालाख्यरत्नकुंकुमवंति: having ruby, coral, so-called gems and saffron
• पद्मरागप्रवालाख्यरत्नकुंकुमवंति: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्मराग + प्रवाल + आख्य + रत्न + कुंकुम + वन्त् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. pl.)—‘-वती’ (वन्त्-प्रत्यय) युक्ता

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• गोमेदपुष्परागेन्द्र: the chief among gomedaka and puṣparāga (topaz)
• गोमेदपुष्परागेन्द्र: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमेद + पुष्पराग + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—(गोमेदस्य च पुष्परागस्य च) इन्द्रः/श्रेष्ठः

• नीलसन्माल्यभांजि: adorned/bright with blue and fine garlands
• नीलसन्माल्यभांजि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील + सत् + माल्य + भाञ्जि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘भाञ्जि’ (भञ्ज्-धातुज/प्रातिपदिक) = शोभाकर/दीप्तिकर

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Kāśī

Type: kshetra

Skanda Dialogue

Listener: Assembly of sages (frame implied)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A celestial procession entering Kāśī: figures glittering with ruby-red powders, coral hues, golden-yellow gems, deep sapphire ornaments, and luxuriant garlands; the air thick with fragrance and sacred festivity.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Devotional gatherings in Kāśī are marked by śubha-dravya (auspicious substances), expressing reverence through purity, beauty, and sanctified adornment.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

The broader setting is Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) within the Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s praise of the sacred city.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

No explicit rite is prescribed here; the verse highlights auspicious materials and devotional adornment associated with sacred presence.