Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 59
पानस्याप्यत्र का वार्ता जलस्पर्शोपि दुर्लभः । इति प्रेतोक्तमाकर्ण्य स भृशं प्रीतिमानभूत्
pānasyāpyatra kā vārtā jalasparśopi durlabhaḥ | iti pretoktamākarṇya sa bhṛśaṃ prītimānabhūt
“Here, what hope is there even of drinking? Even touching water is hard to obtain.” Hearing these words spoken by the preta, he became greatly pleased.
Narrator (within Skanda’s narration); reported speech by the Preta
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka and ṛṣis of Naimiṣāraṇya (typical Purāṇic frame)
Scene: A parched, anguished preta speaks of the impossibility of even touching water; an ascetic listens, his face softening into purposeful joy at having found a means to uplift.
FAQs
Acknowledging one’s limitation and speaking truthfully before a dharmic guide becomes a turning point toward receiving help.
The narrative continues at/around Vimalodaka Saras in Kāśī.
The verse references drinking and water-contact as preliminaries; the practical remedy is introduced in the next verse.