Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 68
एवं काश्यां प्रविश्यापि पापी धर्मानुषंगतः । न क्षेत्रफलमाप्नोति बहिर्भवति तत्क्षणात्
evaṃ kāśyāṃ praviśyāpi pāpī dharmānuṣaṃgataḥ | na kṣetraphalamāpnoti bahirbhavati tatkṣaṇāt
Gayon din, kahit pumasok sa Kāśī ang isang makasalanan, kung nananatili siyang marumi dahil sa panlabas na pagkakapit lamang sa dharma, hindi niya nakakamit ang bunga ng banal na Kṣetra; sa sandaling iyon ay napapalayas siya.
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda speaking to Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka and sages (traditional frame) / addressed to a ‘muni’ in-context
Scene: A pilgrim steps into Kāśī’s sacred boundary yet is shown being turned away by an unseen kṣetra-śakti; the city’s luminous aura remains inaccessible until the heart is purified.
FAQs
Kāśī’s merit is not gained by mere entry or outward religiosity; inner disposition and genuine alignment with dharma are essential.
Kāśī (Vārāṇasī) as a kṣetra whose spiritual ‘fruit’ is reserved for sincere seekers.
No specific rite is prescribed; the verse emphasizes qualification—purity of intent and authentic dharma—over mere presence.