Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 23
त्वदनीक्षणतः क्षणाद्विभो प्रलयं यांति जगंति शोच्यवत् । च्यवते भवतः कृपालवादितरोपीशनयस्त्वयोंकृतः
tvadanīkṣaṇataḥ kṣaṇādvibho pralayaṃ yāṃti jagaṃti śocyavat | cyavate bhavataḥ kṛpālavāditaropīśanayastvayoṃkṛtaḥ
“O Lord, if you do not so much as cast a glance, the worlds fall into dissolution in an instant, most pitifully. Apart from a single drop of your compassion, even another ‘ruler’ cannot stand—any lordship is established only by you.”
Pārvatī
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta-kṣetra)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śiva
Scene: Pārvatī points to the cosmic consequence of Śiva’s withdrawn glance: worlds trembling on the edge of dissolution; a single drop of compassion stabilizes all rulers and realms.
FAQs
Cosmic stability depends on Śiva’s grace; all authority and power are derivative, inspiring humility and reliance on divine compassion.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned in this verse; it supports the larger Kāśī-centered narrative by affirming Śiva’s supremacy.
None; it is a doctrinal statement about grace and cosmic order.