Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 7
अकस्मादेवयत्काले मृत्युः सन्निहितो भवेत् । चिंतनीयः प्रयत्नेन स कालो मृत्युभीरुणा
akasmādevayatkāle mṛtyuḥ sannihito bhavet | ciṃtanīyaḥ prayatnena sa kālo mṛtyubhīruṇā
Whenever death suddenly draws near, that time should be carefully reflected upon with earnest effort by one who fears death, so that he may act rightly and not be unprepared.
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A pilgrim standing at Pañcagaṅgā-ghāṭa (or a generic Kāśī ghāṭa), hands folded, contemplating mortality; behind, a procession of pilgrims continues—life moving as he chooses mindful action.
FAQs
Contemplation of mortality is meant to awaken urgency for dharma and devotion, transforming fear into disciplined spiritual practice.
Kāśī is the overarching sacred landscape of this discourse, celebrated as a place where mindful preparation culminates in liberation.
No specific ritual is named; the instruction is ethical-spiritual: deliberate reflection and purposeful effort.