Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 11
अहो वराकः संसारः क्व भविष्यत्यनीश्वरः । आरभ्याद्यदिनं न त्वामर्चयिष्यंति केपि यत्
aho varākaḥ saṃsāraḥ kva bhaviṣyatyanīśvaraḥ | ārabhyādyadinaṃ na tvāmarcayiṣyaṃti kepi yat
అయ్యో, ఈ సంసారం ఎంత దుర్దశ! ప్రభువు లేక అది ఎక్కడ నిలుస్తుంది? ఈ రోజునుంచి ఎవరు నిన్ను ఆరాధించరో, వారికి ఇక ఏ శరణు మిగులుతుంది?
Skanda (deduced Kāśīkhaṇḍa norm: Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A devotee stands at a Kāśī ghāṭa at dawn, hands folded, seeing the turbulent river as saṃsāra; above, the Lord’s presence as a steady light. People who neglect worship appear as drifting figures without a boat; worshippers hold a lamp and rosary, finding direction.
FAQs
Without devotion to Īśvara (Śiva), saṃsāra remains miserable and directionless; worship is presented as the sustaining refuge.
Kāśī is the implied sacred setting, where worship of Mahākāla/Śiva is upheld as paramount.
Arcana (worship) of Śiva is implied—regular reverence as a daily dharmic anchor.