Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 17
अगस्त्येन विना नैष शोषं यास्यति सागरः । तस्मात्संप्रार्थयामोत्र कृत्ये गत्वा मुनीश्वरम्
agastyena vinā naiṣa śoṣaṃ yāsyati sāgaraḥ | tasmātsaṃprārthayāmotra kṛtye gatvā munīśvaram
Sans Agastya, cet océan ne se desséchera point. Aussi, pour cette tâche, allons prier avec ferveur ce seigneur des sages.
Devas (deduced: collective decision within narrative; exact individual speaker not explicit)
Tirtha: Camatkārapura (anticipated)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A spokesperson among the devas declares that without Agastya the ocean cannot be dried; the assembly turns from self-reliance to supplication, preparing to journey to the sage.
FAQs
True resolution comes through humility and seeking realized sages; spiritual authority is portrayed as transformative.
Agastya’s locale is about to be specified in the next verses; this verse itself highlights his indispensability.
No formal ritual; it prescribes approaching and petitioning a great muni for a righteous task.