Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 31
दैवं हेतुं वदंत्येवं भृशं कापुरुषाः पते । स्वयं पुराकृतं कर्म दैवं तच्च न हीतरत्
daivaṃ hetuṃ vadaṃtyevaṃ bhṛśaṃ kāpuruṣāḥ pate | svayaṃ purākṛtaṃ karma daivaṃ tacca na hītarat
ఓ నాథా! పిరికివారే 'దైవమే కారణం' అని పదే పదే చెబుతుంటారు. స్వయంగా పూర్వజన్మలో చేసిన కర్మయే దైవం, అంతకు మించి వేరేమీ కాదు.
Kanakakuṇḍala
Tirtha: Kāśī (general)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Yakṣiṇī (addressed as ‘pate’ in the verse’s vocative frame; narrative may involve role-played address)
Scene: A firm, instructive moment: Kanakakuṇḍala admonishes ‘timid men’ who blame fate; the scene shows a contrast—one figure slumped in resignation, another upright in resolve near a shrine path.
FAQs
The verse rejects helpless fatalism: destiny (daiva) is understood as the maturation of one’s own past karma, encouraging responsible dharmic action.
Not explicit in this verse; it is part of the Kāśī-khaṇḍa narrative that frames dharma teachings within the sacred geography of Kāśī.
None; it is a doctrinal teaching urging effort and ethical responsibility.