Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 78
अलाभे दंतकाष्ठानां निषिद्धे वाथ वासरे । गंडूषा द्वादश ग्राह्या मुखस्य परिशुद्धये
alābhe daṃtakāṣṭhānāṃ niṣiddhe vātha vāsare | gaṃḍūṣā dvādaśa grāhyā mukhasya pariśuddhaye
Quando não houver palitos dentais disponíveis, ou quando o dia for daqueles em que são proibidos, devem-se fazer doze bochechos (gaṇḍūṣa) para a plena purificação da boca.
Skanda
Scene: A dawn scene on a Kāśī ghat: a pilgrim facing the river performs repeated mouth-rinses from a small lotā, preparing for worship; nearby are simple toiletries and a prayer-bead strand.
FAQs
When primary means are restricted, dharma provides a valid substitute—purity is maintained without violation.
The instruction is embedded in Kāśī Khaṇḍa’s sacred routine associated with life in Vārāṇasī.
Perform twelve gaṇḍūṣas (mouth-rinses/holds) when tooth-sticks are unavailable or forbidden by the calendar.