Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 14
देवि कोऽपि युवा श्रीमांस्त्रैलोक्येष्वमितप्रभः । कामातिथिस्तव द्वारि वर्तते दिश तत्परम्
devi ko'pi yuvā śrīmāṃstrailokyeṣvamitaprabhaḥ | kāmātithistava dvāri vartate diśa tatparam
देवि! कोई एक श्रीमान् युवा, त्रिलोकी में अमित तेज वाला, ‘कामातिथि’ बनकर तुम्हारे द्वार पर खड़ा है; जो करना हो, आज्ञा दीजिए।
niśācarī (the maidservant/night-roaming attendant)
Scene: The maidservant addresses Maurvī: a splendid young man of immeasurable radiance stands at the door as a ‘guest of desire’, awaiting command; the contrast of awe and erotic implication is central.
FAQs
It contrasts dharmic hospitality with desire’s intrusion—how kāma can masquerade as rightful approach.
None; the verse is set in a palace narrative context.
No explicit ritual; it alludes to receiving a guest, which is part of general dharma.
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