Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 24
मुनीनां मानसं प्रायो यत्पद्मादपि तन्मृदु । स्त्रियः कठोरहृदयाः स्वरूपेणैव सत्तम
munīnāṃ mānasaṃ prāyo yatpadmādapi tanmṛdu | striyaḥ kaṭhorahṛdayāḥ svarūpeṇaiva sattama
‘مُنیوں کا من عموماً کنول سے بھی زیادہ نرم ہوتا ہے۔ مگر عورتیں—اپنی فطرت ہی سے—سخت دل ہوتی ہیں، اے بہترین ہستی!’
Śuci (apsaras) (direct speech within Skanda’s narration)
Tirtha: Kāśī
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka-group (frame implied)
Scene: A contemplative tableau: the sage’s lotus-like gentle mind symbolized by a lotus near him; Śuci stands aside, the contrast between ascetic softness and worldly hardness suggested through visual metaphors (lotus vs stone).
FAQs
It underscores the ideal of a sage’s gentle heart; the speaker uses contrast to plead for mercy, highlighting kṣamā as spiritual excellence.
Not directly; it remains within the Pañcanada origin narrative that ultimately supports the tīrtha’s Māhātmya.
No ritual act is prescribed; the emphasis is ethical—valuing softness of heart and forgiveness associated with tapas.