Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 52
इति प्रेतवचः श्रुत्वा स कृपालुस्तपोधनः । मनसा चिंतयामास धिङ्निजार्थोद्यमान्नरान्
iti pretavacaḥ śrutvā sa kṛpālustapodhanaḥ | manasā ciṃtayāmāsa dhiṅnijārthodyamānnarān
Mendengar ucapan sang preta itu, pertapa mulia yang penuh welas asih itu merenung dalam hati: “Celakalah manusia yang hanya berusaha demi kepentingan dirinya sendiri!”
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.