Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 68
तारकेण पुरा वीर तपस्तप्तं सुदारुणम् । येनैव विजिता देवा येन स्वर्गस्तथा जितः
tārakeṇa purā vīra tapastaptaṃ sudāruṇam | yenaiva vijitā devā yena svargastathā jitaḥ
«Autrefois, ô héros, Tāraka accomplit des austérités d’une âpreté extrême ; par elles les dieux furent vaincus, et même le ciel fut soumis à son pouvoir.»
Nārada
Listener: Kumāra/Skanda
Scene: A flashback-like narration: Tāraka performing terrifying austerities—emaciated body, blazing heat, surrounded by fire and storm; devas shown subdued or fleeing; heaven’s order shaken.
FAQs
Austerity grants power, but without dharma it can become a force of oppression; divine intervention restores balance.
Not explicit in this verse; it is part of Kedārakhaṇḍa’s larger sacred narrative.
No ritual is prescribed; tapas is referenced as Tāraka’s past practice.