Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 28
स्निह्येदुद्धृतसारोपि वह्नेः संस्पर्शमाप्य वै । चित्रं स्त्र्याख्या समादानात्पुमान्स्निह्यति दूरतः
snihyeduddhṛtasāropi vahneḥ saṃsparśamāpya vai | citraṃ stryākhyā samādānātpumānsnihyati dūrataḥ
“Kahit ang mantikilya, bagaman piniga at pinadalisay, ay natutunaw kapag sumayad sa apoy. Ngunit kamangha-mangha: sa pagbanggit lamang sa isip at pangalang ‘babae,’ natutunaw ang puso ng lalaki kahit mula sa malayo.”
Muni (sage) speaking (didactic metaphor)
Tirtha: Kāśī (Avimukta)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka and ṛṣis (frame implied)
Scene: A small flame touches a golden lump of butter which begins to drip; in parallel, a distant silhouette of a woman’s name-form (akṣara/saṃjñā) sends waves that soften a man’s heart.
FAQs
Desire can arise even from mere imagination; therefore guarding the mind is essential for dharma and tapas.
No particular tīrtha is mentioned in this verse; it supports the Kāśī Khaṇḍa’s broader moral instruction.
None explicitly; the implied discipline is mental restraint and vigilance (saṃyama).