Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 19
ईश्वर उवाच । गजासुर प्रसन्नोस्मि महापौरुषशेवधे । स्वानुकूल वरं ब्रूहि ददामि सुमतेऽसुर
īśvara uvāca | gajāsura prasannosmi mahāpauruṣaśevadhe | svānukūla varaṃ brūhi dadāmi sumate'sura
ஈசுவரன் கூறினான்— கஜாசுரா, மாபெரும் வீரத்தின் நிதியே! நான் மகிழ்ந்தேன். உனக்கு ஏற்ற வரத்தைச் சொல்; நல்விவேகமுள்ள அசுரா, நான் அளிப்பேன்।
Śiva (Īśvara)
Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Pilgrimage audience (frame implied)
Scene: Śiva speaks as Īśvara, praising Gajāsura’s valor and inviting him to choose a boon; the moment balances tenderness with sovereign authority.
FAQs
Divinity is not merely punitive; Śiva rewards genuine courage, humility, and truth with grace and boons.
Kāśī’s sacred atmosphere is the narrative backdrop, presenting Śiva as readily bestowing boons within his kṣetra.
None; it is the formal offer of a boon (vara) in the story.