Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 6
एका मूर्तिस्त्रिधा जाता ब्राह्मी शैवी च वैष्णवी । सृष्टिसंहाररक्षार्थं भवेदेवं महेश्वर
ekā mūrtistridhā jātā brāhmī śaivī ca vaiṣṇavī | sṛṣṭisaṃhārarakṣārthaṃ bhavedevaṃ maheśvara
Une seule Forme devint triple—celle de Brahmā, de Śiva et de Viṣṇu—afin que s’accomplissent création, dissolution et protection; qu’il en soit ainsi, ô Maheśvara.
Brahmā and the gods (collective stuti, within Mārkaṇḍeya’s narration)
Scene: A single radiant, formless light differentiates into three iconic presences—Brahmā (four-faced), Viṣṇu (four-armed with śaṅkha-cakra), and Śiva (trident-bearing)—arranged as a triad around a central, unbroken jyoti.
FAQs
The many divine roles are expressions of one supreme reality; devotees can honor functional diversity without losing unity.
No specific tīrtha is named; the verse supports the wider mahatmya by grounding it in cosmic theology.
None; it is a theological explanation within a hymn.