Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 12
बालबालिशबुद्धित्वादभाग्या जठरोद्भव । अस्मिन्सिंहासने स्थातुं न त्वया सुकृतं कृतम्
bālabāliśabuddhitvādabhāgyā jaṭharodbhava | asminsiṃhāsane sthātuṃ na tvayā sukṛtaṃ kṛtam
“बालिश बुद्धीमुळे, हे अभाग्या गर्भज! या सिंहासनावर उभे राहण्यास योग्य असे कोणतेही पुण्य तू केलेले नाहीस।”
Skanda (narrating); direct speech: Suruci
Tirtha: Kāśī (Vārāṇasī)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Sages
Scene: Suruci points toward the throne, denying Dhruva; the throne looms as a symbol of worldly ‘adhikāra’; Dhruva’s posture tightens, eyes moist; the king’s face shows helplessness.
FAQs
The verse contrasts worldly status with the Purāṇic idea of sukṛta (merit), while also warning against adharmic, cruel speech.
Not specified in this verse; the Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s overarching subject is the sanctity of Kāśī.
None explicitly; “sukṛta” is invoked as a moral-spiritual principle rather than a named rite.