Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 51
इदमेव तपोत्युग्रमिदमेवपरं व्रतम् । अयमेव परो धर्मो यत्पित्रोः परितोषणम्
idameva tapotyugramidamevaparaṃ vratam | ayameva paro dharmo yatpitroḥ paritoṣaṇam
ಇದೇ ಏಕೈಕ ಉಗ್ರ ತಪಸ್ಸು, ಇದೇ ಪರಮ ವ್ರತ; ಇದೇ ಪರಮ ಧರ್ಮ—ತಾಯಿ-ತಂದೆಗಳನ್ನು ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ತೃಪ್ತಿಪಡಿಸುವುದು।
Nārada (continued discourse)
Tirtha: Kāśī (as dharma-anchored mokṣa-kṣetra)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A pilgrim about to depart for Kāśī first serves his parents—offering food, massaging feet, receiving blessings—while a small travel bundle and staff rest nearby, indicating that pilgrimage begins at home through dharma.
FAQs
Pleasing and caring for one’s parents is presented as superior to severe austerities and formal vows.
No named tīrtha; the verse internalizes pilgrimage by making parental satisfaction the supreme sacred practice.
A ‘vrata’ of paritoṣaṇa—consistent actions aimed at the parents’ well-being and contentment.
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