Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 144
विवर्धते कुले लक्ष्मीस्तस्य यः प्रपठेदिमम् । न राक्षसाः पिशाचा वा न भूतानि न चापदः
vivardhate kule lakṣmīstasya yaḥ prapaṭhedimam | na rākṣasāḥ piśācā vā na bhūtāni na cāpadaḥ
مَن يتلو هذا يزدَدْ في أسرته رخاءُ لاكشمي؛ فلا رākṣasas ولا piśācas، ولا الأرواح، ولا المصائب تستطيع أن تؤذيه.
Skanda (deduced from Kaumārikākhaṇḍa context; narrative voice likely Sūta reporting)
Listener: A sage/devotee interlocutor (contextual)
Scene: A devotee recites a hymn in a lamp-lit household shrine; Lakṣmī’s auspicious presence is suggested by overflowing grain and lotus motifs, while shadowy rākṣasa/piśāca forms retreat beyond a protective aura.
FAQs
Sincere recitation of divine names is portrayed as both auspicious (śrī-vṛddhi) and protective (rakṣā) in worldly life.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse praises the protective power of the hymn itself.
Regular recitation (pāṭha) of the hymn for prosperity and protection.