सुरासुरनराः सर्वे तस्या रूपेण मोहिताः । बहुधा प्रार्थयंत्येनां न सा वरमभीप्सति
surāsuranarāḥ sarve tasyā rūpeṇa mohitāḥ | bahudhā prārthayaṃtyenāṃ na sā varamabhīpsati
Dieux, démons et hommes étaient tous enchantés par sa beauté. Maintes fois ils la supplièrent, mais elle ne désira aucune faveur de leur part.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration style)
Tirtha: Saṅgama (implied)
Type: sangam
Scene: A crowd of gods, demons, and men—each splendid in their own style—stand captivated, offering requests and boons; she remains composed, refusing with serene firmness.
True spiritual resolve is not swayed by attraction or worldly offers; steadfastness supports higher dharma and tapas.
The verse sets the narrative context for the Barkareśa Śiva-sthāna that is established shortly after; the site’s māhātmya unfolds in subsequent verses.
No explicit rite is prescribed here; it emphasizes inner discipline (vairāgya) as preparation for tapas and sacred establishment.