Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 26
यातास्मि तपसश्चर्तुं कालीवाक्यात्तवातुलम् । रतिश्च तत्र मे नाभूत्ततः प्राप्ता तवांतिकम्
yātāsmi tapasaścartuṃ kālīvākyāttavātulam | ratiśca tatra me nābhūttataḥ prāptā tavāṃtikam
“I went to perform incomparable austerity, prompted by Kālī’s words. Yet I found no joy there; therefore I have come back to your presence.”
Asura in Umā-form (reported speech; deduced)
Scene: The speaker claims to have gone for severe austerity at Kālī’s prompting but found no joy, returning to the beloved’s vicinity; depict a contrast between harsh ascetic landscape and the warmth of return.
FAQs
Austerity without right intention does not yield inner fulfillment; dharma depends on truthfulness and purity of purpose.
No tīrtha is specified.
Tapas (austerity) is referenced generally, but no specific vrata or rite is prescribed.