Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 78
शाणेन मणिवल्लीढा कृशाप्यायादनर्घताम् । तथापि तपसा क्षामा दिदीपे तत्तनुस्तराम्
śāṇena maṇivallīḍhā kṛśāpyāyādanarghatām | tathāpi tapasā kṣāmā didīpe tattanustarām
கல்லில் உரசி மெருகேறும் மணிவள்ளிபோல், அவள் மெலிந்தாலும் அருமைமிக்க மதிப்பை அடைந்தாள்; தவத்தால் சோர்ந்தபோதும் அவளது உடல் மேலும் ஒளிர்ந்தது।
Skanda (deduced, Kāśīkhaṇḍa narrative voice)
Scene: A thin ascetic maiden glowing with an inner light; the simile of a jewel-creeper polished by a whetstone is visualized as a luminous vine motif behind her, suggesting refinement through friction.
FAQs
Austerity may reduce the body, but it increases spiritual worth and inner luminosity—like a gem refined by polishing.
The verse serves the Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s praise of purification; it does not identify a particular tīrtha by name.
No formal ritual is listed; the practice emphasized is sustained tapas leading to purification and radiance.