Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 86
दीक्षितो वा दिवाकीर्तिः पंडितो वाप्यपंडितः । तुल्यो मे मोक्षदीक्षायां संप्राप्य मणिकर्णिकाम्
dīkṣito vā divākīrtiḥ paṃḍito vāpyapaṃḍitaḥ | tulyo me mokṣadīkṣāyāṃ saṃprāpya maṇikarṇikām
Whether one is initiated, famed like the light of day, learned or unlearned—upon reaching Maṇikarṇikā, all are equal in my initiation into liberation.
Skanda (deduced, Kāśīkhaṇḍa context)
Tirtha: Maṇikarṇikā
Type: ghat
Listener: Purāṇic audience within Kāśīkhaṇḍa narration
Scene: On the ghāṭa steps of Maṇikarṇikā, a line of diverse figures—initiated ascetic, renowned scholar, ordinary laborer—stand equally before a radiant Śiva-liṅga; a single stream of light touches all, symbolizing mokṣa-dīkṣā.
FAQs
In Maṇikarṇikā’s liberating sphere, spiritual privilege is leveled—liberation is offered without discrimination.
Maṇikarṇikā in Kāśī (Varanasi).
Mokṣa-dīkṣā (initiation into liberation) is referenced as being granted upon reaching Maṇikarṇikā.