Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 22
दुर्गस्थो नाभिभूयेत विपक्षः केनचित्क्वचित् । स्वतंत्रं यदि दुर्गं स्यादमर्मज्ञप्रकाशितम्
durgastho nābhibhūyeta vipakṣaḥ kenacitkvacit | svataṃtraṃ yadi durgaṃ syādamarmajñaprakāśitam
दुर्ग में स्थित व्यक्ति को शत्रु कहीं भी, कभी भी पराजित नहीं कर सकता—यदि दुर्ग स्वतंत्र हो और उसके मर्म-स्थल अज्ञानी द्वारा प्रकट न किए गए हों।
Skanda (narrative maxim)
Scene: A fortified citadel shown with hidden gates and guarded bastions; a wise guardian prevents a careless messenger from revealing secret passages; the allegory hints at inner discipline.
FAQs
Protection is preserved by disciplined guardianship; revealing sacred vulnerabilities undermines refuge.
Within Kāśī-kṣetra, the teaching supports the idea of an inviolable sacred domain when properly guarded and honored.
None; it conveys a dharmic-strategic principle applicable to both worldly and sacred protection.