Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 89
यथा जडानि बीजानि न फलंति स्वयं तथा । जडानि सर्वकर्माणि न फलंतीश्वरं विना
yathā jaḍāni bījāni na phalaṃti svayaṃ tathā | jaḍāni sarvakarmāṇi na phalaṃtīśvaraṃ vinā
Sebagaimana benih yang tidak bernyawa tidak berbuah dengan sendirinya, demikianlah segala karma yang tidak berkesedaran tidak menghasilkan buah tanpa Tuhan (Īśvara).
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa context, typically Skanda to Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A teacher in Kāśī instructs pilgrims: inert seeds lie on dry ground; when blessed by rain/sun they sprout—symbolizing karma needing Śiva’s grace. In the background: Gaṅgā ghāṭs and a distant Viśvanātha śikhara.
FAQs
Effort alone is not ultimate; divine sanction (Īśvara) is what makes karma truly fructify.
Kāśī’s doctrine of Viśveśvara’s supremacy is reinforced; the verse is theological rather than topographical.
A general prescription: perform rites with Īśvara-centered devotion and invocation to ensure fruition.