Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 23
कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तः कस्मात्ते गतिरीदृशी । अनुक्रोशधियारक्षः पृच्छामि वद निर्भयम्
kutastvamiha saṃprāptaḥ kasmātte gatirīdṛśī | anukrośadhiyārakṣaḥ pṛcchāmi vada nirbhayam
"তুমি কোথা হতে এখানে এসেছ? কি কারণে তোমার এমন দশা হয়েছে? আমি দয়ার্দ্র চিত্তে জিজ্ঞাসা করছি, নির্ভয়ে বল।"
Aged ascetic (within Skanda’s narration to Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣi-sabhā (frame implied)
Scene: The ascetic addresses the preta gently, palms relaxed, face compassionate; the preta’s expression softens slightly, poised to narrate its origin and suffering.
FAQs
Compassionate questioning opens the door for confession, guidance, and eventual upliftment—key Purāṇic dharma in action.
The Kāśī-kṣetra setting frames the episode, presenting Kāśī as a place where even the fallen may find a path to relief.
None; the verse is part of a dialogue leading toward explanation and remedy.