Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 43
शरीर हीना इव जीवसंघा द्विजा यथा चाध्ययनेन हीनाः । निरुद्यमाः सत्त्वगुणा यथा वै यथोद्यमा भाग्यविवर्जिताश्च
śarīra hīnā iva jīvasaṃghā dvijā yathā cādhyayanena hīnāḥ | nirudyamāḥ sattvaguṇā yathā vai yathodyamā bhāgyavivarjitāśca
உடல் இல்லாத உயிர்களைப் போலவும், வேதம் ஓதாத அந்தணர்களைப் போலவும், முயற்சியற்ற சத்துவ குணத்தைப் போலவும், அதிர்ஷ்டம் இல்லாத முயற்சியைப் போலவும் அவர்கள் ஆனார்கள்.
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa discourse, typically Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Avimukta-Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A contemplative tableau of allegories: bodiless beings fading like mist; a dvija with unopened Veda manuscript; a luminous sattva figure seated yet inert; a striving traveler walking against wind while fortune (Lakṣmī-like aura) turns away—mirroring the daityas’ helplessness.
FAQs
Without right guidance and dharmic grounding, effort and qualities become ineffective—study (adhyayana) and purposeful action must unite.
No specific tīrtha is mentioned; it is a moral-psychological description within Kāśīkhaṇḍa.
No direct ritual is prescribed; adhyayana (sacred study/recitation) is upheld as a dharmic necessity by implication.