Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 26
स्तुतो मंगलसूक्तैश्च प्रणतश्च पुनःपुनः । तेभ्यो दत्ताभयः शंभुः पप्रच्छ कुशलं मुदा
stuto maṃgalasūktaiśca praṇataśca punaḥpunaḥ | tebhyo dattābhayaḥ śaṃbhuḥ papraccha kuśalaṃ mudā
मंगलसूक्तांनी स्तुत होऊन व पुनःपुनः प्रणाम स्वीकारून, शंभूंनी त्यांना अभय दिले; मग आनंदाने कुशलक्षेम विचारले।
Skanda (deduced; narration of Śiva’s response)
Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra (Śambhu-sannidhi)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Śambhu, serene and radiant, raises a hand in abhaya-mudrā while brāhmaṇas bow repeatedly, singing maṅgala-sūktas; the atmosphere is calm yet charged with divine presence.
FAQs
True divinity responds to sincere praise with protection (abhaya) and compassionate concern for devotees’ well-being.
Kāśī as the place of intimate darśana where Śiva directly engages and blesses pilgrims.
Stuti (auspicious hymns) and repeated praṇāma (prostration/salutation) as modes of worship.