Skanda Purana — Kashi Khanda, Shloka 58
तैस्तैः सपत्नीदुर्वाक्यैर्दुनोपि त्वं यथार्भक । तथाऽहमपि दूनास्मि नितरां तद्वचोऽग्निना
taistaiḥ sapatnīdurvākyairdunopi tvaṃ yathārbhaka | tathā'hamapi dūnāsmi nitarāṃ tadvaco'gninā
Hỡi con thơ, như con đã đau đớn vì lời cay nghiệt của những người vợ đồng phu, thì ta cũng vậy—còn bị thiêu đốt hơn bởi ngọn lửa của lời nói ấy.
A royal mother/queen (rājapatnī), speaking to her son
Scene: A vulnerable child and a sorrowing figure are shown affected by cutting words from rival co-wives; speech is visualized as flames or sharp arrows, yet the sufferers remain inwardly composed.
FAQs
Cruel speech is portrayed as a real ‘fire’ that burns hearts; dharma includes restraint and compassion in words.
No particular site is named; the verse is part of Kāśīkhaṇḍa’s broader sacred narrative setting.
None; the verse is ethical and emotional, condemning harmful speech.