Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 57
राज्यं करोमि यद्ब्रह्मन्स्वार्थं तन्न मनागपि । पुत्रैः कलत्रैर्देहेनपरोपकृतये यते
rājyaṃ karomi yadbrahmansvārthaṃ tanna manāgapi | putraiḥ kalatrairdehenaparopakṛtaye yate
Wahai Brāhmaṇa, bila aku menjalankan kerajaan, itu sama sekali bukan demi kepentinganku sendiri. Bersama putra-putraku, istriku, dan tubuhku sendiri, aku berusaha semata-mata demi kesejahteraan orang lain.
A dharmaśīla king (addressing a Brāhmaṇa)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: The king speaks earnestly to a brāhmaṇa, gesturing toward his family standing behind him—sons and queen—signifying that all are dedicated to public welfare; the setting hints at Kāśī’s sacred precincts.
FAQs
Kṣatriya-dharma is defined as selfless governance—using family and personal strength for public good.
The broader frame is Kāśī in the Skanda Purāṇa, where righteous living is magnified by the sacred setting.
No specific rite is prescribed here; the verse emphasizes ethical duty (paropakāra) as the essence of rule.