Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 55
यज्ञवाटं श्मशानाभं दृष्ट्वा तैः प्रमथैः पुरा । अतिशोच्यां दशां नीतं वीरभद्रस्ततो जगौ
yajñavāṭaṃ śmaśānābhaṃ dṛṣṭvā taiḥ pramathaiḥ purā | atiśocyāṃ daśāṃ nītaṃ vīrabhadrastato jagau
Seeing the sacrificial enclosure turned by those Pramathas into something like a cremation-ground, Vīrabhadra then spoke, lamenting that it had been brought to so pitiable a state.
Skanda (narration); Vīrabhadra is about to speak
Listener: Śaunaka and other ṛṣis (typical frame)
Scene: A once-ordered sacrificial enclosure lies wrecked—broken vedi, scattered kuśa, overturned vessels—now resembling a cremation-ground; Vīrabhadra stands amid gaṇas, grief turning into stern resolve.
FAQs
When sacred action is corrupted by ego, even a yajña-space can become spiritually barren—like a cremation ground—symbolizing the collapse of merit.
The Kāśī Khanda’s larger purpose is the glorification of Kāśī as Śiva’s domain; this verse uses imagery rather than naming a tirtha.
None explicitly; the passage reinforces that ritual sanctity depends on righteous intent and proper divine honor.