Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 71
अनुयाति न भर्तारं यदि दैवात्कथंचन । तत्रापि शीलं संरक्ष्यं शीलभंगात्पतत्यधः
anuyāti na bhartāraṃ yadi daivātkathaṃcana | tatrāpi śīlaṃ saṃrakṣyaṃ śīlabhaṃgātpatatyadhaḥ
اگر قسمت سے وہ شوہر کے پیچھے نہ جا سکے، تو بھی اسے اپنے کردار کی حفاظت کرنی چاہیے؛ کیونکہ کردار ٹوٹنے سے انسان گر جاتا ہے۔
Skanda (deduced: Kāśīkhaṇḍa commonly Skanda → Agastya)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Scene: A woman stands at a crossroads outside Kāśī, unable to follow a departing husband due to circumstance; she turns inward, holding a vow-string or prayer beads, while darker figures symbolize temptation and ‘śīla-bhaṅga’ pulling downward.
FAQs
Dharma is upheld by steadfast character; even in adverse circumstances, protecting śīla is paramount.
The verse is part of Kāśī-khaṇḍa’s dharma instruction; no specific tirtha is named in this line.
No ritual act is prescribed; it is an ethical injunction to preserve śīla.