Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 33
धुवं काश्यां प्रविष्टा ये ते प्रविष्टा ममोदरे । तेषां विनिर्गमो नास्ति दीप्तेग्नौ हविषामिव
dhuvaṃ kāśyāṃ praviṣṭā ye te praviṣṭā mamodare | teṣāṃ vinirgamo nāsti dīptegnau haviṣāmiva
ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ଯେମାନେ କାଶୀରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିଛନ୍ତି, ସେମାନେ ମୋର ଉଦରରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିଛନ୍ତି; ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଆଉ ବାହାରିବା ନାହିଁ—ଦୀପ୍ତ ଅଗ୍ନିରେ ନିକ୍ଷିପ୍ତ ହବିଷ ପରି।
Viśveśa/Śiva (quoted within Skanda’s narration)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta/Vārāṇasī)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Pārvatī or the narratee within Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s frame (contextual)
Scene: A blazing sacrificial fire receives oblations; behind it, Kāśī’s ghāṭs and Viśveśvara’s presence are suggested as the cosmic ‘belly’ of Śiva absorbing pilgrims beyond return.
FAQs
Kāśī is portrayed as a liberating realm held within Śiva himself; entering it signifies spiritual absorption and protection.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), exalted as a mokṣa-kṣetra intimately identified with Śiva.
No explicit ritual; the verse emphasizes the metaphysical consequence of entering Kāśī.