Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 23
कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तः कस्मात्ते गतिरीदृशी । अनुक्रोशधियारक्षः पृच्छामि वद निर्भयम्
kutastvamiha saṃprāptaḥ kasmātte gatirīdṛśī | anukrośadhiyārakṣaḥ pṛcchāmi vada nirbhayam
D’où es-tu venu jusqu’ici ? Pourquoi ton état est-il ainsi ? Ô esprit, je t’interroge avec un cœur de compassion : parle sans crainte.
Aged ascetic (within Skanda’s narration to Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣi-sabhā (frame implied)
Scene: The ascetic addresses the preta gently, palms relaxed, face compassionate; the preta’s expression softens slightly, poised to narrate its origin and suffering.
FAQs
Compassionate questioning opens the door for confession, guidance, and eventual upliftment—key Purāṇic dharma in action.
The Kāśī-kṣetra setting frames the episode, presenting Kāśī as a place where even the fallen may find a path to relief.
None; the verse is part of a dialogue leading toward explanation and remedy.