Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 86
मरणादपि नो काश्यां भयं यत्र मनागपि । गणास्तत्र तु तिष्ठंतः कुतो मत्तोपि बिभ्यति
maraṇādapi no kāśyāṃ bhayaṃ yatra manāgapi | gaṇāstatra tu tiṣṭhaṃtaḥ kuto mattopi bibhyati
காசியில் மரணத்திற்கே கூட சிறிதளவும் அச்சம் இல்லை. அங்கே தெய்வ கணங்களே தங்கி இருக்கையில், என்னிடம்கூட அவர்களுக்கு அச்சம் எப்படித் தோன்றும்?
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa dialogue tradition, often Skanda to Agastya)
Tirtha: Avimukta-Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A luminous Kāśī cityscape with Śiva’s gaṇas stationed at thresholds and ghāṭas, radiating fearlessness; a subtle personification of Death kept at bay at the kṣetra boundary.
FAQs
Kāśī is portrayed as a realm of fearlessness where even death loses its terror due to Śiva’s protective presence.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī), revered as Śiva’s city and the foremost mokṣa-kṣetra.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; the verse emphasizes the inherent sanctity and protective power of residing in Kāśī.