Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 98
न राज्यं राज्यमित्याहू राज्यश्रीः प्रेयसी ध्रुवम् । सप्तांगमपि तद्राज्यं तया हीनं तृणायते
na rājyaṃ rājyamityāhū rājyaśrīḥ preyasī dhruvam | saptāṃgamapi tadrājyaṃ tayā hīnaṃ tṛṇāyate
“لوگ کہتے ہیں کہ محض سلطنت ہی حقیقی ‘سلطنت’ نہیں؛ اقتدار کی اصل شان تو محبوبہ ہے۔ ساتوں ارکان والی ریاست بھی اس کے بغیر گھاس کے برابر ہو جاتی ہے۔”
Mālyaketu (the king)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Naimiṣāraṇya sages
Scene: A symbolic composition: the seven emblems of kingship (army, treasury, ministers, fort, etc.) shown diminished or fading, while Kalāvatī stands radiant; the king points to her as true ‘rājyaśrī’.
FAQs
Even perfected worldly systems are secondary to inner fulfillment and dharmic commitment; external power is hollow without the heart’s anchor.
The verse is not a direct tīrtha-praise; it supports the storyline that leads toward Kāśī’s sacred merit.
None; the teaching is ethical and contemplative.