Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 32
न यमं यमदूतांश्च नयामीरपि यातनाः । पश्यन्ति ते पुणयभाजो नैतच्चापि कृतं मया
na yamaṃ yamadūtāṃśca nayāmīrapi yātanāḥ | paśyanti te puṇayabhājo naitaccāpi kṛtaṃ mayā
«Ceux qui ont part au mérite ne voient ni Yama, ni les messagers de Yama, ni les tourments des voies infernales ; et pourtant, même cela, je ne l’ai pas accompli.»
Skanda (deduced; Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya; verse voiced as a repentant reflection within the narrative)
Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra (salvific protection motif)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A symbolic split-scene: on one side, a radiant meritorious pilgrim walking a luminous path, untouched by shadowy yamadūtas; on the other, the narrator in humble remorse, hands folded, acknowledging neglected duties; distant silhouette of Yama’s court fades away.
FAQs
Puṇya protects the soul from fearful post-death agencies; the verse also urges self-audit and repentance for neglected dharma.
Kāśī’s larger promise of spiritual safety is the implied backdrop, though the verse itself speaks generally of Yama and merit.
No single rite is prescribed here; it summarizes the fruit of accumulated puṇya and laments the speaker’s lack of such deeds.