Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 47
चिच्छेद वायोर्वृषणं पार्षदोन्यः प्रतापवान् । पाशयित्वा यमं कश्चित्को धर्म इति पृष्टवान्
ciccheda vāyorvṛṣaṇaṃ pārṣadonyaḥ pratāpavān | pāśayitvā yamaṃ kaścitko dharma iti pṛṣṭavān
Seorang pengiring yang gagah memotong buah zakar Vāyu; dan seseorang, setelah mengikat Yama erat, bertanya, “Apakah dharma itu?”
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Audience seeking definition of dharma in the kṣetra context
Scene: A powerful gaṇa mutilates Vāyu’s generative organ (symbol of force/impulse) and another binds Yama with ropes, demanding a definition of dharma; the scene is both terrifying and philosophical—violence as allegory for subduing pride and mechanical morality.
FAQs
‘Dharma’ is not mere procedure; it is right alignment with the Supreme and humility—otherwise even Yama’s authority is challenged.
No direct tīrtha mention; the verse serves as a doctrinal illustration within the Kāśī Khaṇḍa’s Śiva-mahātmya.
None; it is a dramatic interrogation highlighting the nature of dharma.