Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 90
महाबलाभिधानेन देवः संनिहितः स्वयम् । घोरेण तपसा लब्धं रावणाख्येन रक्षसा
mahābalābhidhānena devaḥ saṃnihitaḥ svayam | ghoreṇa tapasā labdhaṃ rāvaṇākhyena rakṣasā
هناك يحضر الربّ بنفسه باسم «مهابالا»؛ وقد نالت هذه القداسة بفضل التقشّف الشديد الذي أدّاه الراكساس المسمّى رافانا.
Unknown (narrative voice not identifiable from the isolated verse; likely Purāṇic narrator within Brahmottarakhaṇḍa)
Tirtha: Mahābala/Mahābaleśvara at Gokarṇa
Type: kshetra
Scene: Rāvaṇa performs fierce austerity—standing in penance with intense focus—while Śiva’s presence manifests as the Mahābala liṅga radiating power; the scene balances awe with the danger of pride.
FAQs
Intense tapas can draw divine presence; even adversarial figures like Rāvaṇa are shown engaging the dharmic power of austerity.
Gokarṇa, specifically in relation to the deity/linga known as Mahābala.
Tapas (austerity) is referenced as the means by which sacred attainment was achieved.