Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 59

Devanagari script

यथाविधि निषेकादि यः कर्म कुरुते द्विजः । संभावयेत्तथान्नेन गुरुः स इह कीर्त्यते

Transliteration

yathāvidhi niṣekādi yaḥ karma kurute dvijaḥ | saṃbhāvayettathānnena guruḥ sa iha kīrtyate

Translation

凡二次生者，依仪轨行自受胎等诸礼，并以食物供养而恭敬师长者，此处宣说：此人即为真正的上师（guru）。

Word by Word

• यथाविधि: according to the prescribed rule
• यथाविधि: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण), अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अर्थः—विधिना सह/विधिपूर्वकम् (adverbial: according to rule)

• निषेकादि: the rite of impregnation and other (rites)
• निषेकादि: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निषेक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘निषेकः आदिः यस्य तत्’ इत्यर्थे (niṣeka etc.)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (relative pronoun)

• कर्म: the duty/rite
• कर्म: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कुरुते: performs
• कुरुते: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (present: does/performs)

• द्विजः: a twice-born (Brahmin)
• द्विजः: Karta (Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• संभावयेत्: should honor / should support
• संभावयेत्: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + भावय् (धातु: भावयति, causative of √भू/भाव)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (should honor/maintain)

• तथा: thus / likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)

• अन्नेन: with food
• अन्नेन: Karana (Instrument/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन (instrumental: by/with food)

• गुरुः: a teacher
• गुरुः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इह: here (in this context/world)
• इह: Desha-adhikarana (Locative adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (देशवाचक: locative adverb)

• कीर्त्यते: is called / is said to be
• कीर्त्यते: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (is called/declared)

Speaker

Skanda (deduced for Kāśīkhaṇḍa context)

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Kāśī

Type: kshetra

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A calm gurukula setting: a dvija performing saṃskāra rites with sacred vessels and fire, then offering a respectful food-plate to the seated ācārya; students observe in silence.

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Dvija

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

True spiritual authority is tied to disciplined observance of dharma and reverent service to the guru, especially through sustaining offerings like food.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

The verse sits within the Kāśīkhaṇḍa framework, where Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) is the sacred setting that elevates dharma and right conduct.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

Performance of saṃskāras beginning with niṣeka (conception rite) and honoring the guru with anna (food offering).