Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 36

Devanagari script

विनिष्कृतारिषड्वर्गाः सुशीलाः सत्त्वशालिनः । श्रुतस्यपारदृश्वानो राजनीतिविचक्षणाः

Transliteration

viniṣkṛtāriṣaḍvargāḥ suśīlāḥ sattvaśālinaḥ | śrutasyapāradṛśvāno rājanītivicakṣaṇāḥ

Translation

அவர்கள் உள்ளத்தின் அறுபகை பகைவர்களிலிருந்து தூய்மையடைந்தவர்கள்; நல்லொழுக்கம் உடையவர்கள், சத்துவம் நிறைந்தவர்கள்; வேத-சாஸ்திர அறிவில் தேர்ந்தவர்கள், அரசியல் நெறியில் நிபுணர்கள்.

Word by Word

• विनिष्कृतारिषड्वर्गाः: having eliminated the six inner enemies
• विनिष्कृतारिषड्वर्गाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनिष्कृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त; √कृ) + अरि (प्रातिपदिक) + षड्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (अरिषड्वर्गः = कामक्रोधलोभमोहमदमात्सर्य-रूपः; तं विनिष्कृताः = removed/expelled)

• सुशीलाः: well-mannered
• सुशीलाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (सु-शीलाः = of good conduct)

• सत्त्वशालिनः: possessing virtue/strength of character
• सत्त्वशालिनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (सत्त्वं यस्य अस्ति/शालिनः)

• श्रुतस्यपारदृश्वानः: who have reached the far shore of learning
• श्रुतस्यपारदृश्वानः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रुत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त; √श्रु) + अस्य (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + पार (प्रातिपदिक) + दृश्वान् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √दृश्, लिट्-प्रत्ययान्त ‘दृश्वान्’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (श्रुतस्य = of what is heard/learning; पारं = the far shore; दृश्वानः = having seen/reached)

• राजनीतिविचक्षणाः: skilled in statecraft
• राजनीतिविचक्षणाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजनीति (प्रातिपदिक) + विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (राजनीतौ विचक्षणाः)

Speaker

Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa dialogue style)

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Kāśī

Type: kshetra

Skanda Dialogue

Listener: Rājārṣi addressee

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A contemplative portrayal of ideal kings: not in battle but in disciplined poise—calm faces, restrained gestures, scholars and ministers nearby, palm-leaf manuscripts and nīti counsel, symbolizing inner victory over the six foes.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

True rulership begins with self-rule: conquering the inner enemies and grounding power in learning and virtue.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

The broader Kāśī setting is implied; the verse itself extols dharmic qualifications rather than a particular shrine.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

No specific rite is prescribed; the focus is ethical discipline and mastery of knowledge.