Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 54
प्राप्यापि काशीं दुर्बुद्धिर्यो न मां परिसेवते । तस्य हस्तगताप्याशु कैवल्यश्रीः प्रणश्यति
prāpyāpi kāśīṃ durbuddhiryo na māṃ parisevate | tasya hastagatāpyāśu kaivalyaśrīḥ praṇaśyati
حتى إن بلغ كاشي، فإن صاحبَ العقلِ الضالّ الذي لا يخدمني ولا يعبدني—يضمحلّ سريعًا بهاءُ الكيفاليا، وإن بدا كأنه قد صار في يده.
Śiva (as Maheśāna)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta-kṣetra)
Type: kshetra
Listener: null
Scene: A pilgrim stands within luminous Kāśī yet turns away from Śiva’s shrine; the radiance of ‘kaivalya-śrī’ slips like a falling lotus from his hand, while Viśveśvara’s presence remains steady and compassionate.
FAQs
Sacred geography is not enough by itself; without Śiva-bhakti and service, even Kāśī’s near-at-hand liberation is missed.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), shown as offering kaivalya—yet requiring devotion to Śiva.
Parisevā (devout service/worship) of Śiva is prescribed as indispensable.