Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 127
पलायध्वमहो देवाः शक्तिश्चेद्वः पलायितुम् । विमूढा हि वयं सर्वे ये बालवचसागताः
palāyadhvamaho devāḥ śaktiścedvaḥ palāyitum | vimūḍhā hi vayaṃ sarve ye bālavacasāgatāḥ
«اهربوا، يا معشر الآلهة—إن كانت لكم قدرةٌ على الهرب أصلًا! حقًّا إنّا جميعًا قد ضللنا، نحن الذين جئنا إلى هنا مُصغين إلى كلام طفلٍ صغير.»
Viṣṇu (Hari) speaking to the Devas (from immediate context of v.126)
Scene: Hari, arm still raised, speaks sharply: devas scatter or hesitate, faces stricken; the battlefield behind them churns as Tāraka threatens; the line carries bitter irony and collective shame.
FAQs
Discernment (viveka) is essential—acting on immature counsel leads to collective confusion and loss of strength.
No site is mentioned; it is ethical counsel within the narrative.
None; the verse is admonitory speech.