Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 34
श्यामलं च उपस्थं च रूपातीतान्नराः शिवम् । हृदिस्थं सिरशिस्थं च द्वयं बद्धविमुक्तये
śyāmalaṃ ca upasthaṃ ca rūpātītānnarāḥ śivam | hṛdisthaṃ siraśisthaṃ ca dvayaṃ baddhavimuktaye
রূপাতীত শিবকে মানুষ অন্বেষণ করে—শ্যামল অন্তঃস্থিত ও উপস্থস্থিত শক্তিরূপেও। বন্ধনমোচনের জন্য তারা দ্বিবিধ উপস্থিতি ধ্যান করে—হৃদয়ে স্থিত শিব এবং শিরে স্থিত শিব।
Skanda (deduced from didactic flow; verse is yogic/shaiva contemplation instruction)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A pilgrim before a Śiva shrine dissolves the external icon into a luminous presence within: one glow in the heart lotus and another at the crown; chains around the figure loosen and fall, symbolizing release from bondage.
FAQs
Liberation comes through transcending sense-bound identity and realizing Śiva inwardly as the indwelling presence.
No particular tīrtha is named; the verse emphasizes inner realization aligned with the māhātmya’s purificatory purpose.
A contemplative practice is implied: meditate on Śiva as present in the heart and in the head for release from bondage.