Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 14
महीयसायुषा तेषां वसुभिर्भूरिभिश्च किम् । येऽभिमानधनानेह लब्धरीढाः पदेपदे
mahīyasāyuṣā teṣāṃ vasubhirbhūribhiśca kim | ye'bhimānadhanāneha labdharīḍhāḥ padepade
அவர்களுக்கு நீண்ட ஆயுளோ, மிகுந்த செல்வமோ எதற்கு? இங்கு அகந்தையையே செல்வமாகக் கருதுவோர்—அடிக்கடி ஆதரவு கிடைத்தாலும்—தத்துவமாக உள்ளே வெறுமையிலேயே இருப்பர்.
Skanda (deduced Kāśīkhaṇḍa norm: Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A symbolic contrast: a proud wealthy figure surrounded by attendants and treasures yet shown hollow (a faint empty silhouette), while a humble pilgrim with minimal possessions is radiant. In the background, Kāśī’s ghāṭas and a cremation ground remind of impermanence.
FAQs
Longevity and wealth are hollow when pride is the real ‘treasure’; spiritual grounding, not ego, gives life meaning.
Kāśī’s devotional ethos is implied—valuing surrender to Śiva over pride and possessions.
None explicit; the implied discipline is humility and devotion rather than ego-based religiosity.