Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 79
पक्षिणां गरुडो यद्वत्सिंहोऽरण्यनिवासिनाम् । स्थानजानां तु विप्राणां श्रेष्ठोऽष्टकुलिकस्तथा
pakṣiṇāṃ garuḍo yadvatsiṃho'raṇyanivāsinām | sthānajānāṃ tu viprāṇāṃ śreṣṭho'ṣṭakulikastathā
Assim como Garuḍa é o chefe entre as aves e o leão é o chefe entre os que habitam a floresta, assim também, entre os brâmanes nativos daquele lugar, o Aṣṭakulika é igualmente o mais eminente.
Viśvāmitra (deduced)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Garuḍa spreads golden wings above a sacred precinct while a lion stands sentinel near the forest edge; at the center, an aṣṭakulika brāhmaṇa presides over orderly pilgrims at the ghāṭa, embodying protective authority.
FAQs
The verse underscores discernment (viveka) in dharmic practice: the most eminent should be recognized and honored for sacred acts.
The focus is on the tīrtha ‘place’ and its native ritual community; the named geography is not stated in this verse.
A general directive for tīrtha rites: prefer the foremost place-born Brāhmaṇa (Aṣṭakulika) for officiation and receiving offerings.