Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 20
सालंकारं समानं च सानंदमुखपंकजम् । विस्मृताखिलकार्यं च दक्षयज्ञप्रवर्तकम्
sālaṃkāraṃ samānaṃ ca sānaṃdamukhapaṃkajam | vismṛtākhilakāryaṃ ca dakṣayajñapravartakam
அவன் அலங்காரங்களால் ஒளிர்ந்து, அமைதியுடன் இருந்தான்; ஆனந்தம் மலர்ந்த முகத்தாமரையுடன், மற்ற எல்லா காரியங்களையும் மறந்து தக்ஷ யாகத்தைத் தொடங்கியவனாயிருந்தான்।
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa dialogue tradition, Skanda to Agastya)
Tirtha: Dakṣa-yajña-sthala (mythic)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A richly adorned figure (Dakṣa or the yajña-initiator) stands or sits in ceremonial finery, smiling with lotus-like face, surrounded by ritual paraphernalia—garlands, vessels, fire altar—projecting confident satisfaction.
FAQs
It depicts the seductive completeness of worldly ritual and celebration—often preceding a dharmic rupture when humility and right reverence are absent.
No Kāśī tīrtha is named in the verse; it situates the narrative at Dakṣa’s yajña setting within the chapter’s discourse.
No prescription; the verse describes the conduct and atmosphere surrounding the initiation of a yajña.