Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 55
न ननाम महादेवं न च चक्रे प्रदक्षिणम् । अतएव हि सा देवी न गता पुनरागता
na nanāma mahādevaṃ na ca cakre pradakṣiṇam | ataeva hi sā devī na gatā punarāgatā
اس نے نہ مہادیو کو نمسکار کیا، نہ پردکشنا کی۔ اسی سبب وہ دیوی گئی تو سہی، مگر پھر لوٹ کر نہ آئی۔
Narrator (deduced: Skanda to Agastya in Kāśīkhaṇḍa)
Tirtha: Viśveśvara (Kāśī) (implied)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Audience within the frame narration (contextual)
Scene: A stark contrast: Mahādeva’s shrine stands serene while Devī departs without bowing or circumambulating; the empty space around the liṅga emphasizes the missed act.
FAQs
Core devotional acts—namaskāra and pradakṣiṇā—are not optional; neglecting them leads to loss of auspicious protection and right outcomes.
Kāśī’s Shaiva sacred order is implied: Mahādeva’s presence anchors the dharma of the place, and worship there safeguards the pilgrim.
Namaskāra (bowing) to Mahādeva and pradakṣiṇā (circumambulation) are explicitly referenced.