Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 48
विधिक्रतोर्दशगुणं जपस्यफलमश्नुते । विधिक्रतोर्दशगुणो जपक्रतुरुदीरितः
vidhikratordaśaguṇaṃ japasyaphalamaśnute | vidhikratordaśaguṇo japakraturudīritaḥ
The fruit of japa, sacred repetition, is said to be tenfold that of a kratu performed according to rule; indeed, japa itself is proclaimed a “sacrifice of repetition,” ten times superior to the prescribed kratu.
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A pilgrim-sādhaka seated on a pañcagaṅgā-like ghat at dawn, counting a rudrākṣa mālā; behind him a subtle vision of a Vedic yajña-fire fades, indicating japa as the higher inner sacrifice; temple spires and Gaṅgā currents frame the scene.
FAQs
Inner, disciplined japa is exalted as a powerful sacrifice, often surpassing external ritual in spiritual fruit.
The teaching occurs within the Kāśī Khaṇḍa framework, implicitly glorifying Kāśī as the setting where such dharma is taught and practiced.
It compares vidhi-based kratu (yajña) with japa, prescribing japa as a superior ‘japa-kratu’ in terms of merit.