Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 2
स्कंद उवाच । पतिव्रतापते ऽगस्त्य शृणु वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः । मृगांकलक्ष्मणोत्कंठं काशी नेत्रातिथीकृता
skaṃda uvāca | pativratāpate 'gastya śṛṇu vakṣyāmyaśeṣataḥ | mṛgāṃkalakṣmaṇotkaṃṭhaṃ kāśī netrātithīkṛtā
స్కందుడు పలికెను—ఓ అగస్త్యా, పతివ్రతలాధిపతీ, వినుము; సమస్తమును చెప్పెదను। నేత్రాలకు అతిథిగా నిలిచిన కాశీ, చంద్రలాంఛనధారి (శివుడు) లోనూ తపనను రేపెను।
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Agastya
Scene: Skanda addresses Agastya with compassionate authority; behind them, Kāśī appears as a radiant city; a subtle image of moon-crested Śiva gazes toward Kāśī with affectionate yearning, while the city is personified as offering itself to the eyes like a revered guest.
FAQs
Kāśī’s sanctity is so exalted that it draws even Śiva’s attention and longing—signaling the city’s supreme spiritual magnetism.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), praised as an incomparable darśana that delights the eyes and uplifts the heart.
No direct ritual is prescribed here; Skanda announces a complete narration of the ensuing sacred account.