Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 33
तेषु सर्वेषु मर्त्येन यथोक्तविधिना स्फुटम् । देवतायतनान्येव तथा द्रष्टुं महा मते
teṣu sarveṣu martyena yathoktavidhinā sphuṭam | devatāyatanānyeva tathā draṣṭuṃ mahā mate
Among all these, for a mortal to perform, clearly, the rites as prescribed—and likewise to behold the very shrines, the abodes of the deities—is indeed difficult, O great-minded one.
Ṛṣayaḥ (continuing; addressing Sūta as mahā-mate)
Tirtha: Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra (aggregate āyatanas)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Sūta-putra (Sauti)
Scene: Pilgrims attempt multiple rites—bathing, offering, circumambulation—moving from shrine to shrine; some appear weary, while a guide-priest points to a main temple, suggesting prioritization; the sages’ words overlay the scene as a compassionate acknowledgment of limits.
FAQs
Right method (vidhi) and reverent darśana matter, yet human limitation is acknowledged—devotion must be realistic and sincere.
The verse continues the praise of Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra as containing many deity-abodes and tīrthas.
Following yathokta-vidhi (the stated procedure) for tīrtha practice, along with darśana of temples, is referenced.
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