Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 72
अज्ञातकुलतां तस्य पृछ्यतामयमेव च । अहिरेव अहेः पादान्वेत्ति नान्यो हिमाचल
ajñātakulatāṃ tasya pṛchyatāmayameva ca | ahireva aheḥ pādānvetti nānyo himācala
उसके अज्ञात कुल के विषय में इसी से पूछो; क्योंकि सर्प के पदचिह्न को सर्प ही जानता है, अन्य कोई नहीं—हे हिमाचल।
Viṣṇu (within the narrative, advising Himālaya)
Listener: Himācala (Himālaya)
Scene: Viṣṇu (or the speaker) delivers a pointed metaphor to Himācala: a stylized image of two serpents’ tracks in sand appears as a symbolic overlay, indicating hidden pathways only the like-minded can read.
FAQs
The Divine’s origin is beyond ordinary inquiry; only one of similar nature can truly recognize the hidden reality.
None is specified; the verse uses proverbial symbolism within the wedding narrative.
It alludes to the marriage custom of verifying lineage, but redirects the inquiry due to Śiva’s transcendent status.