Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 7
सृष्टिप्रलय संज्ञौ द्वौ ग्लहौ जयपराजयौ । देवीजये भवेत्सृष्टिरसृष्टिर्धूर्जटेर्जये
sṛṣṭipralaya saṃjñau dvau glahau jayaparājayau | devījaye bhavetsṛṣṭirasṛṣṭirdhūrjaṭerjaye
‘सृष्टि’ और ‘प्रलय’ नामक दो दाँव ही जय-पराजय हैं। देवी की विजय से सृष्टि प्रकट होती है; धूर्जटि (शिव) की विजय से असृष्टि—संहार-निवृत्ति होती है।
Nārada
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Sages in the listening assembly
Scene: Two symbolic stakes labeled ‘Sṛṣṭi’ and ‘Pralaya’ set beside a divine game; Devī’s ‘win’ radiates worlds emerging, while Śiva’s ‘win’ shows worlds dissolving into stillness; Kāśī’s skyline anchors the vision.
FAQs
Creation and dissolution are not random; they are governed by the harmonious sovereignty of Śiva and Śakti.
No distinct tīrtha is specified; the verse teaches cosmic principles within the Kailāsa narrative context.
None; it is theological cosmology expressed through metaphor.