Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 72
धर्मोपदेशः शूद्राणां स्वश्रेयः प्रतिघातयेत् । द्विजशुश्रूषणं धर्मः शूद्राणां हि परो मतः
dharmopadeśaḥ śūdrāṇāṃ svaśreyaḥ pratighātayet | dvijaśuśrūṣaṇaṃ dharmaḥ śūdrāṇāṃ hi paro mataḥ
शूद्राणां धर्मोपदेशोऽत्र स्वश्रेयः प्रतिघातकः कथितः। द्विजशुश्रूषणमेव शूद्राणां परो धर्म इति मतम्॥
Skanda
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A didactic scene in Kāśī: a seated ācārya instructs householders near a ghat; attendants stand respectfully, emphasizing seva and disciplined conduct.
FAQs
It presents a traditional, rule-bound view of dharma roles and emphasizes duty as defined by the text’s framework.
The verse is part of Kāśī-centered instruction in the Kāśīkhaṇḍa, not a particular tīrtha description.
It prescribes śuśrūṣā (service/attendance) as the principal duty for Śūdras in this passage.