Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 4
यथा ते नैव मर्यादां संत्यजंति दुराशयाः । एतैस्तस्मात्समाक्रांतः शरण्यं पावकिं व्रजेत्
yathā te naiva maryādāṃ saṃtyajaṃti durāśayāḥ | etaistasmātsamākrāṃtaḥ śaraṇyaṃ pāvakiṃ vrajet
Puisque ces êtres aux intentions mauvaises n’abandonnent jamais leurs bornes ni leurs habitudes, celui qui en est tourmenté doit donc chercher refuge auprès de Pāvakī, dispensatrice de protection.
Lomaharṣaṇa Sūta (deduced for Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration)
Scene: A devotee or afflicted person approaches Pāvaki in supplication; behind, shadowy beings linger at the edge of their domain, unable to cross the protective aura; the protector stands calm, granting shelter.
FAQs
When afflicted, turn to a recognized divine refuge rather than panic—dharma teaches shelter under higher guardianship.
No tīrtha is specified in this verse; the broader chapter later highlights the Mahī river’s greatness.
The instruction is devotional: ‘vrajet’—one should approach/seek refuge in Pāvaki; no detailed rite is described.