Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 77
अनामयाश्चिंतनया न येशितुर्जनामनाग्यत्र विना पिनाकिना । न कर्मसत्कर्मकृतोपि कुर्वतेऽनुकुर्वते शर्वगणांश्च सर्वतः
anāmayāściṃtanayā na yeśiturjanāmanāgyatra vinā pinākinā | na karmasatkarmakṛtopi kurvate'nukurvate śarvagaṇāṃśca sarvataḥ
There, without the Bearer of the Pināka (Śiva), people do not attain mastery even through sound and undisturbed intention. Even those who have done good deeds do not ‘act’ as independent agents; on every side they move in accord with the hosts of Śarva (Śiva).
Skanda (deduced; Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī / Avimukta-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A devotee in Kāśī attempts meditation and righteous acts; behind him stands Śiva with Pināka, while Śiva’s gaṇas subtly guide the devotee’s steps—symbolizing that actions become effective through divine alignment rather than egoic control.
FAQs
In Kāśī, Śiva’s sovereignty is paramount; spiritual success and action are fulfilled through alignment with his divine order.
Kāśī-kṣetra as the domain uniquely governed by Śiva (Pinākin/Śarva).
No explicit ritual; the verse emphasizes dependence on Śiva and conformity to his gaṇas in the sacred field.