Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 44
वाराणसी यदा प्राप्ता कदाचित्कालपर्ययात् । स उपायो विधातव्यो येन नो निष्क्रमो बहिः
vārāṇasī yadā prāptā kadācitkālaparyayāt | sa upāyo vidhātavyo yena no niṣkramo bahiḥ
When Vārāṇasī is reached—at some time, by the turn of fate—one should adopt that means by which there is no going out beyond it.
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Vārāṇasī / Kāśī (Avimukta)
Type: kshetra
Listener: null
Scene: A traveler arrives at Kāśī’s ghāṭas, lays down travel staff, and makes a firm vow before a Śiva shrine; a symbolic boundary line of Avimukta glows, indicating ‘no exit’ through steadfast devotion.
FAQs
Having reached Kāśī, one should hold fast to the spiritual method that keeps one anchored in its liberating sphere.
Vārāṇasī/Kāśī, especially understood as Avimukta-kṣetra.
An upāya (practical discipline/means) is enjoined, though the specific practice is detailed in the surrounding verses.