Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 11
उवाच धर्मेति प्रीतः शुकशावानिदं वचः । अयि पत्त्ररथा ब्रूत साधवो धर्मसंगताः
uvāca dharmeti prītaḥ śukaśāvānidaṃ vacaḥ | ayi pattrarathā brūta sādhavo dharmasaṃgatāḥ
خوش ہو کر شیو نے “دھرم!” کہہ کر ننھے طوطوں سے یہ کلام فرمایا: “اے پروں پر سوارو، بولو—اے نیکوکارو، جو راستی کے موافق ہو!”
Śiva (Śambhu/Maheśa) addressing the birds
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: The sage addressed (mune) and, within the scene, the young parrots as direct addressees
Scene: Śiva, smiling, utters ‘Dharma!’ and addresses the young parrots; the birds stand attentive, as if sages in miniature, in a sanctified Kāśī setting.
FAQs
When beings are dharma-aligned, the Lord invites their request—divine grace is responsive to righteousness.
Kāśī is the broader sacred frame; the verse centers on Śiva’s direct engagement, a hallmark of Kāśī’s māhātmya.
None; it introduces the boon-granting dialogue.