Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 14
किमर्थं ब्रूत वर्ज्यंते सदैव ब्रह्मवादिभिः । तापसा ऊचुः । ग्राहः पंच वसंत्येषु हरंति च तपोधनान्
kimarthaṃ brūta varjyaṃte sadaiva brahmavādibhiḥ | tāpasā ūcuḥ | grāhaḥ paṃca vasaṃtyeṣu haraṃti ca tapodhanān
«Pour quelle raison, dites-moi, sont-ils toujours évités par les docteurs du Brahman ?» Les ascètes répondirent : «Cinq crocodiles y demeurent, et ils emportent ceux qui sont riches en austérités».
Tāpasas (ascetics), replying to the Kuru hero
Tirtha: Five tīrthas (each with a resident crocodile)
Type: kund
Scene: Ascetics explain to the pilgrim while pointing to five pools; beneath each surface a crocodile silhouette lurks; the contrast between serene holy water and sudden danger is central.
FAQs
Sacred waters can be simultaneously holy and perilous; dharma requires humility, caution, and respect for the forces guarding tīrthas.
The five tīrthas in the southern ocean region, noted for their power yet feared due to resident grāhas.
No new rite is prescribed; the verse provides a cautionary reason affecting the practice of snāna at these tīrthas.