Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 35
प्रतीक्षमाणो देवेश त्वदामनमुत्तमम् । विभज्य बहुधात्मानं त्वदाराधनतत्परः
pratīkṣamāṇo deveśa tvadāmanamuttamam | vibhajya bahudhātmānaṃ tvadārādhanatatparaḥ
اے دیوتاؤں کے اِیشور! تیرے بہترین حکم کے انتظار میں میں نے اپنے آپ کو بہت سے روپوں میں بانٹ لیا اور تیری عبادت میں ہی یکسو رہا۔
Arka (Sūrya)
Tirtha: Avimukta-Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis/saṃvāda audience (typical Kāśīkhaṇḍa frame)
Scene: Ravi (the Sun) stands in reverent posture, awaiting Śiva’s command; his radiance subtly refracted into multiple emanations, suggesting ‘dividing into many forms’ while remaining absorbed in worship.
FAQs
True devotion means waiting upon the divine command and dedicating one’s powers to worship rather than ego.
The devotion unfolds within the Kāśī-kathā context, reinforcing Kāśī as Śiva’s sphere of command.
Ārādhana (devotional worship) is emphasized, though no specific mantra, vrata, or offering is detailed.