Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 20
शातातप उवाच । वयं चौरभयाद्भीतास्ते हरंति धनं महत् । कर्तुं तदा कथं शक्यमंगजागरणं तथा
śātātapa uvāca | vayaṃ caurabhayādbhītāste haraṃti dhanaṃ mahat | kartuṃ tadā kathaṃ śakyamaṃgajāgaraṇaṃ tathā
Śātātapa sprach: „Wir fürchten die Diebe; sie rauben großen Reichtum. Wie könnten wir in einer solchen Lage wachsame Nachtwache und strenge Observanz vollziehen?“
Śātātapa
Listener: (a sage/muni, contextually the one being addressed)
Scene: A group of anxious pilgrims/householders speak to a sage, clutching their belongings, glancing back toward a shadowy path where thieves might lurk; the sage sits calm, indicating counsel and refuge in dharma.
FAQs
It voices a realistic obstacle to dharma—fear and insecurity—setting up the teaching that true refuge is divine protection and resolve.
The adhyāya’s setting points to Stambhatīrtha, where observance and refuge are being discussed.
Aṅgajāgaraṇa (staying awake/vigil) is referenced as a discipline connected to observance at the sacred place.