Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 25
ओंऊर्ध्वकेशा विरू पाक्षा नित्यं ये घोररूपिणः । रक्तनेत्राश्च पिंगाक्षाः क्षेत्रपालान्नमामि तान्
oṃūrdhvakeśā virū pākṣā nityaṃ ye ghorarūpiṇaḥ | raktanetrāśca piṃgākṣāḥ kṣetrapālānnamāmi tān
ওঁ। যিসকল ক্ষেত্ৰপালৰ কেশ উৰ্ধ্বমুখী, দৃষ্টি ভয়ংকৰ আৰু বিচিত্ৰ, যিসকল সদায় ঘোৰৰূপী—ৰক্তনেত্ৰ আৰু পিঙ্গলনেত্ৰ—তেওঁলোকক মই নমস্কাৰ কৰোঁ।
The hymn-reciter/devotee (as instructed by Sūta)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A hymn-chanting devotee faces a row of fierce Kṣetrapālas: hair bristling upward, terrifying forms, red and tawny eyes, standing guard with weapons and garlands, yet protective stance.
FAQs
The fierce forms of guardians symbolize protective power; reverent salutations transform fear into refuge under dharmic protection.
The verse is a general stuti of Kṣetrapālas, applicable to sacred places broadly rather than one named tīrtha.
Recitation of a stuti (praise-hymn) as part of Kṣetrapāla worship.