Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 24
मुनीनां मानसं प्रायो यत्पद्मादपि तन्मृदु । स्त्रियः कठोरहृदयाः स्वरूपेणैव सत्तम
munīnāṃ mānasaṃ prāyo yatpadmādapi tanmṛdu | striyaḥ kaṭhorahṛdayāḥ svarūpeṇaiva sattama
“Hati para muni lazimnya lebih lembut daripada bunga teratai. Namun wanita—menurut tabiatnya—berhati keras, wahai yang terbaik antara makhluk.”
Śuci (apsaras) (direct speech within Skanda’s narration)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka-group (frame implied)
Scene: A contemplative tableau: the sage’s lotus-like gentle mind symbolized by a lotus near him; Śuci stands aside, the contrast between ascetic softness and worldly hardness suggested through visual metaphors (lotus vs stone).
FAQs
It underscores the ideal of a sage’s gentle heart; the speaker uses contrast to plead for mercy, highlighting kṣamā as spiritual excellence.
Not directly; it remains within the Pañcanada origin narrative that ultimately supports the tīrtha’s Māhātmya.
No ritual act is prescribed; the emphasis is ethical—valuing softness of heart and forgiveness associated with tapas.