Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 54
तस्मात्पक्षं क्षयं यातु पक्षं वृद्धिं प्रगच्छतु । येन ते स्याद्वचः सत्यं मत्प्रसादसमन्वितम्
tasmātpakṣaṃ kṣayaṃ yātu pakṣaṃ vṛddhiṃ pragacchatu | yena te syādvacaḥ satyaṃ matprasādasamanvitam
ฉะนั้น จงให้ปักษ์หนึ่งร่อยหรอ และอีกปักษ์หนึ่งเจริญเพิ่มพูน เพื่อให้ถ้อยคำของเจ้าสัตย์จริง อันประกอบด้วยพระกรุณาของเรา
Śiva (continuing his decree)
Listener: Candra (and Dakṣa as beneficiary)
Scene: Śiva declares the lunar cycle: one fortnight wanes, the other waxes; the Moon is shown with alternating crescents, embodying both curse and blessing.
FAQs
Cosmic rhythms reflect divine governance; balance (waxing and waning) is established to harmonize truth, karma, and grace.
It supports the Somēśvara tīrtha-liṅga framework of the chapter, linking lunar order with Śiva’s sacred presence across tīrthas.
Implied devotional timing: lunar fortnights and Somavāra (Monday) become auspicious frameworks for Śiva worship, though not detailed here.