Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 11
स सर्वगोपि नेक्ष्येत स्वात्मारामो महेश्वरः । देववद्बुध्यते मूढैरतीतो यो मनोगिराम्
sa sarvagopi nekṣyeta svātmārāmo maheśvaraḥ | devavadbudhyate mūḍhairatīto yo manogirām
Maheśvara itu, tersembunyi oleh segala selubung, tidak terlihat; Ia bersukacita dalam Diri-Nya sendiri. Namun orang bodoh membayangkan-Nya sekadar sebagai ‘dewa’, padahal Ia melampaui pikiran dan kata-kata.
Skanda (contextual)
Tirtha: Avimukta (Kāśī)
Type: kshetra
Listener: brāhmaṇa interlocutor / assembled sages (contextual)
Scene: Śiva as an unseen, all-pervading presence—suggested by a luminous void or liṅga-shape of light—while ordinary people point to a ‘god’ form; a sage indicates transcendence beyond words.
FAQs
The Supreme is not an object among objects; he is beyond conceptualization, realized through inner awakening rather than superficial labels.
Kāśī is the narrative frame; the verse provides the metaphysical foundation for Kāśī’s liberating Śaiva vision.
None; it points to contemplative discernment and humility before the ineffable.