Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 87
मया च विष्णुना सार्धं शिवेन च महर्षिभिः । विचार्य गोगुणान्नित्यं प्रार्थनेति विधीयते
mayā ca viṣṇunā sārdhaṃ śivena ca maharṣibhiḥ | vicārya goguṇānnityaṃ prārthaneti vidhīyate
நான், விஷ்ணுவுடன், சிவனுடன் மற்றும் மகரிஷிகளுடன் சேர்ந்து, கோமாதாவின் குணங்களை எப்போதும் சிந்தித்து, இதை ஒரு பிரார்த்தனையாக விதித்தோம்.
Skanda (deduced; self-reference 'mayā' within Skanda’s discourse)
Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis/pilgrims in Kāśī-khaṇḍa frame
Scene: A celestial assembly: Brahmā (or the narrator’s divine voice), Viṣṇu, Śiva, and ṛṣis contemplate the virtues of the cow and formally institute a prayer; manuscripts and sacred fires indicate deliberation.
FAQs
Cow-veneration is upheld as a universally endorsed dharma, affirmed by Śiva, Viṣṇu, sages, and the narrator.
As part of Kāśī Khaṇḍa, the teaching supports Kāśī’s broader framework of dharma, merit, and sacred practice.
A formal prārthanā (prayer) is prescribed, grounded in constant contemplation of the cow’s virtues.