Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 69
न मात्रा न दुहित्रा वा न स्वस्रैकांतशीलता । बलवंतीद्रियाण्यत्र मोहयंत्यपि कोविदान्
na mātrā na duhitrā vā na svasraikāṃtaśīlatā | balavaṃtīdriyāṇyatra mohayaṃtyapi kovidān
Ni la mère, ni la fille, ni même la sœur vivant dans une stricte retraite n’en est ici la véritable cause; ce sont plutôt les sens, puissants, qui peuvent égarer même les sages.
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A contemplative sādhaka in Kāśī stands near a ghat, eyes lowered, while symbolic senses (horses) pull toward distractions; a calm inner light restrains them, with Viśvanātha’s spire in the distance.
FAQs
The verse teaches that the true danger is not other people, but one’s own uncontrolled senses; self-restraint is the core protection of dharma.
The teaching belongs to the Kāśīkhaṇḍa (Varanasi/Kāśī) framework, where ethical discipline is presented as part of Kāśī’s sacred dharma.
No specific rite is prescribed; the instruction is ethical—guarding the senses (indriya-nigraha) and avoiding delusion.