Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 3
उत्थाय तारको दैत्यः कदा चिन्नो निहंति चेत् । तं तथा पतितं दृष्ट्वा वसुधामण्डले गुहः
utthāya tārako daityaḥ kadā cinno nihaṃti cet | taṃ tathā patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā vasudhāmaṇḍale guhaḥ
“यदि दैत्य तारक फिर उठ खड़ा हो जाए, तो क्या वह हमें मार न डाले?”—ऐसी आशंका से, पृथ्वी-मंडल पर उसे गिरा पड़ा देखकर गुह (स्कन्द) ने ऐसा विचार किया।
Nārada (continuing narrative)
Listener: Pārtha (addressed)
Scene: Tāraka lies fallen on the earth; devas exchange anxious glances, imagining his possible rising; Guha looks upon the body with grave attention, reading the devas’ fear.
FAQs
Until adharma is fully restrained, vigilance remains part of righteous duty; doubt and caution can accompany even near-victory.
No specific tīrtha is named; the verse is set on a battlefield upon the earth (vasudhāmaṇḍala).
None; it is narrative context around the demon Tāraka and Guha.