Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 11
स सर्वगोपि नेक्ष्येत स्वात्मारामो महेश्वरः । देववद्बुध्यते मूढैरतीतो यो मनोगिराम्
sa sarvagopi nekṣyeta svātmārāmo maheśvaraḥ | devavadbudhyate mūḍhairatīto yo manogirām
ذلك «ماهيشڤارا» المستورُ بكلّ الحُجُب لا يُرى؛ وهو مُستغرقٌ في بهجةِ ذاته. غير أنّ الجهّال يتصوّرونه مجرّد «إله»، مع أنّه متعالٍ عن العقل والقول.
Skanda (contextual)
Tirtha: Avimukta (Kāśī)
Type: kshetra
Listener: brāhmaṇa interlocutor / assembled sages (contextual)
Scene: Śiva as an unseen, all-pervading presence—suggested by a luminous void or liṅga-shape of light—while ordinary people point to a ‘god’ form; a sage indicates transcendence beyond words.
FAQs
The Supreme is not an object among objects; he is beyond conceptualization, realized through inner awakening rather than superficial labels.
Kāśī is the narrative frame; the verse provides the metaphysical foundation for Kāśī’s liberating Śaiva vision.
None; it points to contemplative discernment and humility before the ineffable.