Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 10
यैरासन्विकला लोकास्त्रयोऽपि प्रमृता यथा । ततो रुद्रो बालरूपं कृत्वा विश्वकृते विभुः
yairāsanvikalā lokāstrayo'pi pramṛtā yathā | tato rudro bālarūpaṃ kṛtvā viśvakṛte vibhuḥ
By those causes the three worlds had become enfeebled, as though struck down. Therefore Rudra—the all-powerful Lord who acts for the welfare of the universe—assumed the form of a child.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative style)
Scene: The three worlds appear weakened as if struck down. Rudra, for the welfare of the universe, assumes the form of a crying child—an inversion of cosmic power into vulnerability.
FAQs
The Supreme acts compassionately in whatever form is needed to protect and restore dharma in the worlds.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it sets a narrative context within the Kaumārikākhaṇḍa.
None in this verse; it describes Rudra’s protective manifestation.