Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 23
कुतस्त्वमिह संप्राप्तः कस्मात्ते गतिरीदृशी । अनुक्रोशधियारक्षः पृच्छामि वद निर्भयम्
kutastvamiha saṃprāptaḥ kasmātte gatirīdṛśī | anukrośadhiyārakṣaḥ pṛcchāmi vada nirbhayam
'Dari mana engkau datang ke sini? Mengapa kondisimu seperti ini? Wahai roh, aku bertanya dengan belas kasih—bicaralah tanpa rasa takut.'
Aged ascetic (within Skanda’s narration to Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣi-sabhā (frame implied)
Scene: The ascetic addresses the preta gently, palms relaxed, face compassionate; the preta’s expression softens slightly, poised to narrate its origin and suffering.
FAQs
Compassionate questioning opens the door for confession, guidance, and eventual upliftment—key Purāṇic dharma in action.
The Kāśī-kṣetra setting frames the episode, presenting Kāśī as a place where even the fallen may find a path to relief.
None; the verse is part of a dialogue leading toward explanation and remedy.