Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 52
इति प्रेतवचः श्रुत्वा स कृपालुस्तपोधनः । मनसा चिंतयामास धिङ्निजार्थोद्यमान्नरान्
iti pretavacaḥ śrutvā sa kṛpālustapodhanaḥ | manasā ciṃtayāmāsa dhiṅnijārthodyamānnarān
प्रेत के ये वचन सुनकर वह करुणामय तपोधन मन ही मन विचार करने लगा—‘धिक् है उन मनुष्यों पर जो केवल स्वार्थ के लिए ही उद्यम करते हैं!’
Narrator within Skanda’s Kāśīkhaṇḍa discourse (deduced); the thought belongs to the tapodhana sage
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis (frame)
Scene: A compassionate ascetic, hearing the preta’s plea, pauses in inward contemplation; his face shows gentle resolve while the bustling sacred precinct fades into a quiet moral tableau.
FAQs
Dharma condemns narrow selfish striving and elevates compassion—especially toward the suffering and fallen.
Kāśī’s sanctifying narrative environment is implied; the verse foregrounds ethical reflection rather than a location.
No explicit ritual; the emphasis is on inner attitude and compassionate resolve.