Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 12
एतानि पंच तीर्थानि ददर्श कुरुपुंगवः । तपस्विभिर्वर्जितानि महापुण्यानि तानि च
etāni paṃca tīrthāni dadarśa kurupuṃgavaḥ | tapasvibhirvarjitāni mahāpuṇyāni tāni ca
لقد أبصرَ كُرُوبونغَفَةُ، وهو كالثور بين آل كورو، هذه التيَرثات الخمس؛ وهي مواضعُ ذاتُ فضلٍ عظيم، وإن كان الزهّادُ يَجتنبونها.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages
Tirtha: Five unnamed-as-a-set tīrthas (Stambheśa etc.)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A Kuru hero stands at the edge of five waters/shrines, perceiving their radiance; in the background, ascetics keep distance, suggesting an unseen threat beneath the water.
FAQs
True merit can coexist with trial; sacred places may test courage and purity, not merely offer comfort.
The collective set of five tīrthas introduced in this passage (including Stambheśa, Barkareśvara, Mahākāla, Siddheśa, and the tīrtha near Kumāreśa).
The context centers on darśana and intended snāna at the tīrthas.