Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 16
अत्रानुवर्ण्यते गाथा पुण्या परमशोभना । गोपनीयापि कारुण्याद्गौतमेन प्रकाशिता
atrānuvarṇyate gāthā puṇyā paramaśobhanā | gopanīyāpi kāruṇyādgautamena prakāśitā
Here is recounted a sacred narrative-verse, most auspicious and splendid; though fit to be kept secret, Gautama revealed it out of compassion.
Deductive: Purāṇic narrator within Brahmottarakhaṇḍa (likely Sūta-style narration to sages)
Listener: Audience of the discourse (ṛṣis/seekers)
Scene: Sage Gautama, serene and compassionate, begins to recite a radiant ‘gāthā’ to attentive listeners; the words appear as luminous script in the air.
FAQs
Sacred teachings are sometimes guarded, yet compassionate sages disclose them for the welfare of devotees.
No tīrtha is identified in this verse; it introduces a forthcoming sacred story.
None directly; it signals an authoritative kathā that supports the upcoming ritual-mahātmya.