Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 58
तैस्तैः सपत्नीदुर्वाक्यैर्दुनोपि त्वं यथार्भक । तथाऽहमपि दूनास्मि नितरां तद्वचोऽग्निना
taistaiḥ sapatnīdurvākyairdunopi tvaṃ yathārbhaka | tathā'hamapi dūnāsmi nitarāṃ tadvaco'gninā
كما أنّك، كطفلٍ صغير، تألّمتَ من كلمات الزوجات الضرائر القاسية، كذلك أنا أيضًا أتلوّى أشدّ—محترقةً بنار ذلك الكلام.
A royal mother/queen (rājapatnī), speaking to her son
Scene: A vulnerable child and a sorrowing figure are shown affected by cutting words from rival co-wives; speech is visualized as flames or sharp arrows, yet the sufferers remain inwardly composed.
FAQs
Cruel speech is portrayed as a real ‘fire’ that burns hearts; dharma includes restraint and compassion in words.
No particular site is named; the verse is part of Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s broader sacred narrative setting.
None; the verse is ethical and emotional, condemning harmful speech.