[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Purāṇas](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) › [Skandapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt) › 4.44 # Skandapurana 4.44 English (machine translation) 4.44 - **Language:** English ### [4.44.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3) Skanda said: / Then, Hara, the lord of the universe, residing in a jeweled palace of peerless brilliance shining within the caves of Mount Mandara, / surrounded on all sides by the gods, and clothing the sky with his own peaks— / he, charming with a slender digit of the moon, / the author of peace, did not find happiness, burning with fever born of separation from expanding Kāśī. / The paste of Malaya-born sandalwood, applied even by the foe of Tripura to cool the fire of separation, / now truly assumed a burning thirst. ### [4.44.3\_1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_1) The soft \[lotus-stalks\] of lotus ponds that remove burning heat were turned into bracelets; ### [4.44.3\_2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_2) when they were pronounced by the Lord to be snakes, they became truly so—ah, the will of the Great Lord! ### [4.44.3\_3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_3) The full moon, soft essence churned from the ocean of milk and extracted by the gods, ### [4.44.3\_4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_4) became emaciated, its body dissolving under the heat radiating from the head of the Lord, burned by separation. ### [4.44.3\_5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_5) Because Hara, afflicted with burning pain, held the celestial river ### [4.44.3\_6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_6) which removes anguish in the broad corner of the bower of his matted hair, he does not release it even now. ### [4.44.3\_7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_7) Śaṃkara, master of his senses, was forcibly brought under the power of that great longing of separation; ### [4.44.3\_8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_8) he sat despondent among the assembled gods, enveloped by intense torment. ### [4.44.3\_9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_9) It is an exceedingly wondrous thing that though he is himself the pure fire, ### [4.44.3\_10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_10) the lord of the three worlds was scorched by the fire born of separation from his own city. ### [4.44.3\_11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_11) He who continually adorns his forehead with a digit of the moon— ### [4.44.3\_12](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_12) that very moon, quite contrarily, burned even that Lord. ### [4.44.3\_13](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_13) Poison glistens in the region of his throat, yet he was not tormented by that; ### [4.44.3\_14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_14) wondrously, he was tormented only by the clusters of cold rays of the nectar-rayed \[moon\]! ### [4.44.3\_15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_15) To remove that anguish of separation with splashes of gleaming water mixed with yellow sandalwood, ### [4.44.3\_16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_16) his heart burned even from that, but not from the fiery breaths arising from the hoods of expanding serpents. ### [4.44.3\_17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_17) Hara destroys every delusion arising from the false notion of a snake in a garland and the like; ### [4.44.3\_18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_18) wondrous it is that in his case, even on a real garland, the delusion arose that it was a great snake! ### [4.44.3\_19](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_19) Though he completely removes the threefold torment even when merely brought into the path of memory, ### [4.44.3\_20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_20) the Unborn himself, tormented by separation from Kāśī, spoke somewhat to himself: ### [4.44.3\_21](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_21) “If only the breeze coming from Kāśī would embrace my limbs, ### [4.44.3\_22](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_22) then my burning torment would find peace; it does not do so even by immersion in Lake Mānasa! ### [4.44.3\_23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_23) Alas, how would that burning torment have subsided which was fostered by Dakṣa's daughter, ### [4.44.3\_24](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_24) if the daughter of the Himālaya had not swiftly become a life-giving creeper for me? ### [4.44.3\_25](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_25) Dakṣa's daughter, passing away when abandoning her body, did not cause my mind to suffer ### [4.44.3\_26](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_26) as it burns intensely with this immense heat born of separation from Avimukta! ### [4.44.3\_27](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_27) O Kāśī, when shall I joyfully attain again the happiness born of embracing you, ### [4.44.3\_28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_28) by which my wonderful limbs will immediately become cooled? ### [4.44.3\_29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_29) O Kāśī, destroyer of multitudes of sins, the fire born of separation from you, ### [4.44.3\_30](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_30) wondrously flares up with the gentle nectar streams of the moon's digit as if with clarified butter! ### [4.44.3\_31](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_31) Formerly, my burning pain born of separation from Dakṣa's daughter vanished through the medicine that was the daughter of the Himālaya; ### [4.44.3\_32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_32) now, indeed, I shall by no means attain peace unless I quickly behold Kāśī!” ### [4.44.3\_33](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_33) Reciting thus in his mind, Śiva, entirely concealing the outward signs of his torment, ### [4.44.3\_34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_34) was somehow perceived as separated \[from his beloved\] by the Mother of the World, the mother of intellects. // 4.1.44.20 ### [4.44.3\_35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_35) Though she formed half his body, she did not know the cause of his longing; ### [4.44.3\_36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_36) he, the destroyer of the burning distress of bowed living beings, was addressed with words by his beloved: // 21 ### [4.44.3\_37](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_37) Śrī Pārvatī said: ### [4.44.3\_38](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_38) “O omnipresent one, everything is in your hand! What separation can there be for you, whose yoga shines forth? ### [4.44.3\_39](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_39) Ah, your ashes grant prosperity; though she bears the shoots of every misfortune, the earth bears all creatures! // 22 ### [4.44.3\_40](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_40) O Lord, through not beholding you, the worlds instantly go to ruin like something pitiful. ### [4.44.3\_41](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_41) Even an ordinary person cast out from your fraction of grace was once affirmed by you with ‘Om’. // 23 ### [4.44.3\_42](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_42) The moon, the sun, and fire do not cause you distress, ### [4.44.3\_43](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_43) since, O three-eyed one, they are your eyes; and your beloved \[Gaṅgā\] of sparkling water rests on your crest. // 24 ### [4.44.3\_44](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_44) These serpents of yours never bite, and poison does not spread \[in you\], O blue-throated one! ### [4.44.3\_45](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_45) And I, O Vāmadeva, am the fair woman making up your left side, united with your mind. // 25 //” ### [4.44.3\_46](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_46) When this beneficial speech was thus spoken by the mother of the seeds of cyclic existence, ### [4.44.3\_47](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_47) Giriśa took up speech to reply to that weaving of words. // 26 ### [4.44.3\_48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_48) The Lord said: ### [4.44.3\_49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_49) “Ah, Kāśī!” Saying this, Bhava, who possesses the eight forms, manifested the eight emotions. ### [4.44.3\_50](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_50) Quickly Śivā realized: “Surely Hara has been captivated by Kāśī!” // 27 ### [4.44.3\_51](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_51) Then, having the creepers of that forest as her childhood companions, Śivā introduced the topic of that forsaken city which bestows liberation. // 28 ### [4.44.3\_52](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_52) Pārvatī said: ### [4.44.3\_53](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_53) “Let us go, O Bhava, destroyer of Smara, to the city of Kāśī, / held aloft upon your trident even during the cosmic dissolution when the waters meet the vault of heaven, ### [4.44.3\_54](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_54) which displays the beauty of a white lotus! // 29 ### [4.44.3\_55](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_55) The earth of the king of mountains, though exceedingly beautiful, does not please me, O Dhūrjaṭi, ### [4.44.3\_56](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_56) as does your Kāśikā, the foremost of cities, which, though situated upon the earth, is truly not of the earth! // 4.1.44.30 ### [4.44.3\_57](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_57) Where, in Kāśī, there is no fear born of the Kali age; where, in Kāśī, there is no rebirth after death; ### [4.44.3\_58](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_58) where, in Kāśī, there is no fear arising from sin—O Lord, how may she become a guest of our eyes? // 31 ### [4.44.3\_59](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_59) Are there not here thousands of cities, grounds of all prosperity at every step? ### [4.44.3\_60](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_60) Yet none equal to Kāśī has ever come within the range of my eyes; I swear by you, O Śiva! // 32 ### [4.44.3\_61](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_61) Are there not in heaven hundreds of cities, birthplaces of every wonder? ### [4.44.3\_62](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_62) Yet all those cities become like blades of grass before your abode, O enemy of the cities, enemy of worldly existence! // 33 ### [4.44.3\_63](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_63) The fever born of separation from Kāśī does not merely torment you, but torments me just as much here. ### [4.44.3\_64](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_64) The remedy for quenching this burning heat is either that city, or else my birthplace. // 34 ### [4.44.3\_65](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_65) I did not consider my birthplace capable of quelling the burning heat born of separation, ### [4.44.3\_66](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_66) once I reached Kāśī, which grants complete peace and is the cause of destroying all anguish. // 35 ### [4.44.3\_67](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_67) Here, the Fortune of liberation was never seen face-to-face anywhere by any embodied being; ### [4.44.3\_68](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_68) I know, O granter of bliss, that this Kāśikā is indeed liberation incarnate, granting all happiness. // 36 ### [4.44.3\_69](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_69) Liberation is not attained here by samādhi through steadying the senses, nor by abandoning that samādhi, ### [4.44.3\_70](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_70) nor by the rites of sacrifices, nor by knowledge of the Vedas, as it is by shedding the body in Kāśī. // 37 ### [4.44.3\_71](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_71) There is no such happiness in heaven, so how could there be in the exceedingly beautiful realm of Pātāla? ### [4.44.3\_72](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_72) Where is there even talk of a shelter of joy among mortals such as belongs to one who merely bears a body in Kāśī? // 38 ### [4.44.3\_73](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_73) In your sacred field, the Avimukta, O bearer of the trident, never forsaken by the Fortune of liberation, ### [4.44.3\_74](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_74) the best of living beings who applies even his mind always practices the six-limbed yoga. // 39 ### [4.44.3\_75](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_75) By men here, bodily perfection is not quickly attained through six-limbed yoga ### [4.44.3\_76](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_76) in such a way as it is attained with ease by reaching Kāśī and fixing one's gaze upon you for an instant, O Śiva. // 4.1.44.40 ### [4.44.3\_77](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_77) Better indeed is the state of a beast, devoid of intellect, than human existence, the receptacle of much intellect, ### [4.44.3\_78](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_78) whose rising is fruitless without the sight of Kāśī, resembling a bubble on the water all around. // 41 ### [4.44.3\_79](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_79) Fulfilled are the two eyes that have seen Kāśī; fulfilled is the body dwelling in Śiva’s Kāśī; ### [4.44.3\_80](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_80) fulfilled is the mind that has taken shelter in Kāśī; fulfilled is the face turned toward Kāśī. // 42 ### [4.44.3\_81](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_81) Better indeed is that dust of Kāśī, exceedingly pure, destroying passion and darkness, radiant like moonlight, ### [4.44.3\_82](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_82) which, reaching the forehead of those who prostrate on the ground of Maṇikarṇikā, is highly honored by the gods! // 43 ### [4.44.3\_83](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_83) Neither the world of the gods, nor Satyaloka, nor the world of the Nāgas ### [4.44.3\_84](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_84) can match Maṇikarṇikā, where the ear of one making the great departure becomes the receptacle of the elixir of Brahman. // 44 ### [4.44.3\_85](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_85) The ground of Maṇikarṇikā is a place of great splendor, where the mass of darkness comes to an end— ### [4.44.3\_86](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_86) that darkness which, though nourished across hundreds of lifetimes, cannot be subdued by the rays of the sun, fire, and moon! // 45 ### [4.44.3\_87](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_87) Is it the auspicious throne of the state of nirvāṇa, or the soft couch of the Fortune of liberation, ### [4.44.3\_88](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_88) or rather is the ground of Maṇikarṇikā the birthplace of the excellent bulb of supreme bliss? // 46 ### [4.44.3\_89](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_89) Where the number of past liberated beings is counted by people sitting happily ### [4.44.3\_90](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_90) with gleaming, fine gravel, yearning for the great festival of casting off their own bodies! // 47 //” ### [4.44.3\_91](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_91) Skanda said: ### [4.44.3\_92](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_92) O sage, Aparṇā, having thus described the city of Vārāṇasī, ### [4.44.3\_93](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_93) again addressed the wielder of the Pināka for the sake of regaining Kāśī: ### [4.44.3\_94](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_94) The glorious Pārvatī said: ### [4.44.3\_95](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_95) “O Lord of the Pramathas, Lord of all, whose conduct is ever independent! ### [4.44.3\_96](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_96) O giver of boons, act in such a way that I may go to Ānandavana.” ### [4.44.3\_97](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_97) Skanda said: ### [4.44.3\_98](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_98) Then, having heard Girijā’s words, charming with the praise of Kāśī ### [4.44.3\_99](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_99) and surpassing the sweetness of nectar, Giriśa, delighted, \[spoke\]: ### [4.44.3\_100](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_100) The glorious God of gods said: ### [4.44.3\_101](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_101) “Ah, dearest Gaurī! By the drops of nectar of your speech ### [4.44.3\_102](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_102) I am thoroughly gratified. Now I shall strive to regain Kāśī. ### [4.44.3\_103](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_103) You know, O great goddess, that great vow of mine: ### [4.44.3\_104](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_104) I enjoy a thing that has not been enjoyed before by another, not anything else. ### [4.44.3\_105](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_105) Since King Divodāsa, by the word of the Grandfather, ### [4.44.3\_106](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_106) rules the city righteously, what means may be devised? ### [4.44.3\_107](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_107) How can that king, devoted to righteousness and intent on protecting his subjects, ### [4.44.3\_108](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_108) King Divodāsa, be separated from the city of Kāśī? ### [4.44.3\_109](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_109) An obstacle can affect only one who walks in unrighteousness, and none other. ### [4.44.3\_110](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_110) Therefore, whom shall I send, O goddess, who could separate him from Kāśī? ### [4.44.3\_111](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_111) Whoever causes an obstacle to those pursuing the path of righteousness, ### [4.44.3\_112](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_112) to that very person, on the contrary, an obstacle arises, O increaser of my love! ### [4.44.3\_113](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_113) Without a flaw, I do not venture to overthrow that king; ### [4.44.3\_114](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_114) for it is by me indeed, my dear, that the upholders of righteousness must be protected. ### [4.44.3\_115](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_115) Old age does not overcome him; death does not seek to slay him; ### [4.44.3\_116](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_116) diseases do not afflict him: these three belong to the follower of righteousness’ path.” ### [4.44.3\_117](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_117) Reflecting thus, the Lord saw before him the circle of Yoginīs, ### [4.44.3\_118](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_118) exceedingly mature, capable of accomplishing difficult tasks. ### [4.44.3\_119](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_119) Then, having deliberated with the goddess, O great sage, Vyomakeśa, ### [4.44.3\_120](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_120) Hara, summoned the host of Yoginīs and spoke these words: ### [4.44.3\_121](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_121) “Go quickly, O Yoginīs, to my city Vārāṇasī, ### [4.44.3\_122](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_122) where King Divodāsa amply rules the kingdom with righteousness. ### [4.44.3\_123](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_123) So that the king, falling from his own duty, may swiftly abandon Kāśī, ### [4.44.3\_124](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_124) contrive, O wise ones, endowed with the power of illusory magic. ### [4.44.3\_125](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_125) So that I, having restored the city of Vārāṇasī anew, ### [4.44.3\_126](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_126) may go from here, O Yoginīs, act quickly!” ### [4.44.3\_127](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_127) Having thus received the favor and bearing his command upon their heads, ### [4.44.3\_128](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_128) having bowed down, the group of Yoginīs departed from there. ### [4.44.3\_129](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_129) Entering the sky, with a speed greater even than thought, ### [4.44.3\_130](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_130) those Yoginīs went along, speaking to one another with joy: ### [4.44.3\_131](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_131) “Today we are exceedingly fortunate, since by the God of gods himself, ### [4.44.3\_132](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_132) favored, we have been dispatched to the glorious Ānandakānana. ### [4.44.3\_133](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_133) Today, all at once, two great gains, not easily attained, have occurred: ### [4.44.3\_134](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_134) honor from the King with the Three Eyes, and the sight of Kāśī.” ### [4.44.3\_135](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_135) Thus, with joyful minds, that host of Yoginīs, leaving the bower of Mount Mandara ### [4.44.3\_136](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_136) and quickening their speed of flight in the sky, made that city a guest of their eyes. ### [4.44.3\_137](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44.3_137) Thus ends the forty-fourth chapter, named 'The Description of Kāśī,' in the first half of the Kāśīkhaṇḍa, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa consisting of eighty-one thousand verses. ## Linked texts (1) - [Skandapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda.4.44.3) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.skanda~en-mt.4.44) · Pramāṇa