Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 95
नारदः प्राह नः पूर्वं कथयामस्तमेव ते । ब्रह्मदेवद्विषः पूर्वं शतशो दैत्यदानवाः । तपोभिरुग्रैर्विविधैः शंकरं प्रतिपेदिरे
nāradaḥ prāha naḥ pūrvaṃ kathayāmastameva te | brahmadevadviṣaḥ pūrvaṃ śataśo daityadānavāḥ | tapobhirugrairvividhaiḥ śaṃkaraṃ pratipedire
Nārada nous l’avait dit auparavant; et nous te rapporterons ce même récit. Jadis, des centaines de Daitya et de Dānava—ennemis de Brahmā et des dieux—s’approchèrent de Śaṅkara par des austérités farouches et variées.
Unspecified narrator within the section (relaying Nārada’s prior teaching)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Listener: Sages/pilgrims addressed as ‘you’ in the narrative frame (contextual)
Scene: Nārada, as authoritative sage-narrator, begins recounting an ancient episode: ranks of Daityas and Dānavas performing fierce austerities—standing amid fires, under sun and rain—directing their tapas toward Śaṅkara.
FAQs
Even formidable beings seek Śiva through tapas; the narrative underscores the power of austerity and Śiva’s centrality.
Prabhāsakṣetra remains the narrative setting, preparing a teaching connected to Someśvara worship within this tīrtha’s māhātmya.
Tapas (austerity) is highlighted as a means of approaching Śaṅkara; details are to follow in the subsequent narration.