Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 16
त्यक्त्वा चंद्रमसं दुःस्थं मघां पौष्णं विहाय च । शुचिः सन्निर्विशेत्पत्नीं पुन्नामर्क्षे विशेषतः । शुचिं पुत्रं प्रसूयेत पुरुषार्थप्रसाधकम्
tyaktvā caṃdramasaṃ duḥsthaṃ maghāṃ pauṣṇaṃ vihāya ca | śuciḥ sannirviśetpatnīṃ punnāmarkṣe viśeṣataḥ | śuciṃ putraṃ prasūyeta puruṣārthaprasādhakam
ଅଶୁଭ ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରଦିନକୁ ତ୍ୟାଗ କରି, ମଘା ଓ ପୌଷ୍ଣ ନକ୍ଷତ୍ରକୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ବର୍ଜନ କରି, ଶୁଚି ହୋଇ—ବିଶେଷତଃ ‘ପୁନ୍ନାମ’ ନାମକ ନକ୍ଷତ୍ରରେ—ପତ୍ନୀଙ୍କୁ ସମୀପ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। ତେବେ ଶୁଚି ପୁତ୍ର ଜନ୍ମିବ, ଯେ ପୁରୁଷାର୍ଥମାନଙ୍କୁ ସାଧନ କରିବ।
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: Night sky over Kāśī with highlighted nakṣatra symbols; a pure couple prays before a home Śiva shrine, with a priest indicating auspicious stars; Gaṅgā glimmers outside.
FAQs
Dharma integrates purity, timing, and intention; progeny is envisioned not merely biologically but as a carrier of puruṣārtha and righteous life.
The verse sits within Kāśī’s broader dharma discourse; it does not directly praise a named tīrtha, but reflects Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s role as a sacred guide for right living.
It advises avoiding inauspicious lunar timing and specific nakṣatras (Maghā, Pauṣṇa), and favors the Punnāma asterism for approaching one’s wife to beget virtuous offspring.