Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 45
लोमहर्षण उवाच । मंत्राणां साधनं कष्टं सर्वेषामपि सन्मुने । प्रत्यवायसमोपेतं बहुच्छिद्रसमाकुलम्
lomaharṣaṇa uvāca | maṃtrāṇāṃ sādhanaṃ kaṣṭaṃ sarveṣāmapi sanmune | pratyavāyasamopetaṃ bahucchidrasamākulam
লোমহর্ষণ বললেন—হে সৎমুনি, মন্ত্রসাধনা সকলের পক্ষেই কঠিন; এতে প্রত্যবায়ের আশঙ্কা থাকে এবং বহু বিঘ্ন-ছিদ্রে তা আচ্ছন্ন।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)
Listener: Durvāsas
Scene: Lomaharṣaṇa speaks gravely to Durvāsas, warning that mantra practice is difficult and full of pitfalls; the atmosphere is sober, with the firelight casting long shadows, emphasizing caution.
FAQs
Mantra-sādhana demands care and purity because errors can produce obstacles (pratyavāya).
Not yet named here; the narrative is preparing to recommend a specific kṣetra for safe and swift siddhi.
No numeric rite is given; the verse frames the need for a reliable, protected method and place.