स्कंद उवाच । आकर्णय मुने वच्मि कथां श्रमनिवारिणीम् । यथा देवेन कथितां त्रिविष्टपसमुद्भवाम्
skaṃda uvāca | ākarṇaya mune vacmi kathāṃ śramanivāriṇīm | yathā devena kathitāṃ triviṣṭapasamudbhavām
स्कंद म्हणाले—हे मुने, ऐक; मी श्रम दूर करणारी कथा सांगतो, जशी देवाने सांगितली—त्रिविष्टप (स्वर्गलोक) येथून उद्भवलेली।
Skanda
Listener: Agastya (muni)
Scene: Skanda begins the narration, inviting the sage to listen; the atmosphere is soothing, as if the story itself dispels travel-weariness.
Purāṇic kathā is restorative and purifying; attentive listening connects the seeker to divine, heaven-rooted wisdom.
Kāśī is the overarching setting of Kāśīkhaṇḍa; this verse introduces a sub-narrative within its Mahātmya.
Śravaṇa—listen attentively to the kathā as the recommended engagement.