Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 91

Devanagari script

शुद्धस्फटिककांतिश्च सुनील स्निग्धमूर्द्धजा । जितप्रवालमाणिक्य रमणीय रदच्छदा

Transliteration

śuddhasphaṭikakāṃtiśca sunīla snigdhamūrddhajā | jitapravālamāṇikya ramaṇīya radacchadā

Translation

她的光辉如净澈水晶；发丝润泽而深蓝；她可爱的双唇，其华彩胜过珊瑚与红宝石。

Word by Word

• śuddha-sphaṭika-kāntiḥ: having the luster of pure crystal
• śuddha-sphaṭika-kāntiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (प्रातिपदिक) + sphaṭika (प्रातिपदिक) + kānti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (fem. nom. sg.)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• sunīlā: deep-blue
• sunīlā: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-nīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• snigdha-mūrddhajā: with glossy hair
• snigdha-mūrddhajā: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: snigdha (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrddhaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• jita-pravāla-māṇikyā: outshining coral and ruby
• jita-pravāla-māṇikyā: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jita (कृदन्त; √ji जि (धातु) क्त) + pravāla (प्रातिपदिक) + māṇikya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘जित’=कृदन्त-विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• ramaṇīyā: charming
• ramaṇīyā: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ramaṇīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• rada-chadā: with a covering (lips) over the teeth
• rada-chadā: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rada (प्रातिपदिक) + chadā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

Speaker

Skanda (deduced; Kāśīkhaṇḍa context typically Skanda speaking to Agastya)

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Maṇikarṇikā

Type: ghat

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A divine feminine form associated with Maṇikarṇikā is described: crystal-like complexion, deep-blue glossy hair, lips outshining coral and ruby; the setting implied is the luminous riverfront of Kāśī.

Characters & Entities

• Maṇikarṇikā Devī

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Divine beauty is portrayed as purity and auspicious radiance, supporting focused meditation and devotion.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

Maṇikarṇikā of Kāśī, where the goddess’s splendour is celebrated as part of the site’s māhātmya.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

None; the verse provides further contemplative descriptors.