Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 10
शिवस्य पुरतो बाल्याद्गीतं च स्वस्वर्जितम् । अकार्षं सकृदेवाहं बाल्ये शिशुगणावृतः
śivasya purato bālyādgītaṃ ca svasvarjitam | akārṣaṃ sakṛdevāhaṃ bālye śiśugaṇāvṛtaḥ
Dès l’enfance, en la présence même de Śiva, une seule fois j’ai chanté un cantique de ma propre voix ; j’étais alors un enfant, entouré d’une troupe d’enfants, et ce fut cette unique fois.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) narrating a past-life account (contextual deduction within Māheśvarakhaṇḍa)
Tirtha: Jāgeśvara (liṅga)
Type: kshetra
Listener: A King (nṛpa)
Scene: A boy, encircled by other children, sings in his own voice before the liṅga; the shrine is modest, lit by a few lamps, with flowers still present from worship; faces show wonder and devotion.
FAQs
Even a single, simple act of devotion—like singing before Śiva—can bear lasting spiritual fruit.
No specific location is named; the verse emphasizes devotion performed directly before Śiva.
Singing (gīta) in Śiva’s presence is mentioned as a devotional act; no formal rite is detailed.