Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 33
प्रोक्तोसावुपकुर्वाणो द्वितीयस्तत्र नैष्ठिकः । तिष्ठेत्तावद्गुरुकुले यावत्स्यादायुषः क्षयः
proktosāvupakurvāṇo dvitīyastatra naiṣṭhikaḥ | tiṣṭhettāvadgurukule yāvatsyādāyuṣaḥ kṣayaḥ
یوں ‘اُپکُروان’ (وہ شاگرد جو تعلیم مکمل کر کے واپس لوٹ آئے) بیان کیا گیا ہے۔ وہاں دوسری قسم ‘نَیشٹھِک’ ہے—وہ گرو کے گھر میں عمر بھر، جب تک عمر ختم نہ ہو جائے، ٹھہرا رہے۔
Skanda
Scene: A serene gurukula courtyard: a naiṣṭhika brahmacārī seated near the guru, holding a staff, with palm-leaf manuscripts and a sacred fire in the background; the student’s posture conveys lifelong resolve.
FAQs
Dharma offers distinct paths: one may complete study and serve society, or embrace lifelong discipline in service of sacred learning.
Within Kāśī’s puranic context, the verse reflects Kāśī as a seat of enduring gurukula tradition and spiritual discipline.
It prescribes the lifelong residence of the naiṣṭhika brahmacārī in the guru’s household until death.