Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 42
गङ्गा षष्टिसहस्रैस्तु क्षेत्रपालैः प्रपूज्यते । तदर्धैरन्यतीर्थानि रक्षन्ते नात्र संशयः
gaṅgā ṣaṣṭisahasraistu kṣetrapālaiḥ prapūjyate | tadardhairanyatīrthāni rakṣante nātra saṃśayaḥ
గంగానది అరవై వేల క్షేత్రపాలులచే విధివిధానంగా పూజింపబడుతుంది. ఇతర తీర్థాలు దాని సగం సంఖ్యచే రక్షింపబడతాయి—ఇందులో సందేహం లేదు.
Skanda (deduced from Skanda Purana narrative framework)
Tirtha: Gaṅgā-tīrtha (archetypal reference)
Type: river
Scene: A wide Gaṅgā river vista with luminous kṣetrapālas stationed along ghāṭas and riverbanks, forming a protective ring; pilgrims offer añjali while the river glows with sanctity.
FAQs
Tīrthas are living sacred realms guarded by divine protectors; reverence and purity are demanded within them.
Gaṅgā as the paradigmatic tīrtha, contrasted with other tīrthas protected by fewer kṣetrapālas.
No specific rite is commanded; the verse establishes the doctrine of kṣetrapāla-guardianship and implied reverence.