Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 127
पलायध्वमहो देवाः शक्तिश्चेद्वः पलायितुम् । विमूढा हि वयं सर्वे ये बालवचसागताः
palāyadhvamaho devāḥ śaktiścedvaḥ palāyitum | vimūḍhā hi vayaṃ sarve ye bālavacasāgatāḥ
«Fuyez, ô dieux—si toutefois vous avez encore la force de fuir ! En vérité, nous sommes tous abusés, nous qui sommes venus ici en prêtant foi aux paroles d’un simple enfant.»
Viṣṇu (Hari) speaking to the Devas (from immediate context of v.126)
Scene: Hari, arm still raised, speaks sharply: devas scatter or hesitate, faces stricken; the battlefield behind them churns as Tāraka threatens; the line carries bitter irony and collective shame.
FAQs
Discernment (viveka) is essential—acting on immature counsel leads to collective confusion and loss of strength.
No site is mentioned; it is ethical counsel within the narrative.
None; the verse is admonitory speech.