Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 48
भीम उवाच । अहमप्यंग जानामि समो देव्या न कश्चन । प्रभावप्रत्ययार्थं हि सदा निन्दामि तां पुनः
bhīma uvāca | ahamapyaṃga jānāmi samo devyā na kaścana | prabhāvapratyayārthaṃ hi sadā nindāmi tāṃ punaḥ
भीम बोला—हे मित्र, मैं भी जानता हूँ कि देवी के समान कोई नहीं; परन्तु केवल उनके प्रभाव की परीक्षा और प्रमाण के लिए मैं बार-बार उनकी निन्दा करता हूँ।
Bhīma
Listener: Rājā / companion addressed as aṅga (friend)
Scene: Bhīma speaks candidly, admitting he knows the Goddess is unmatched yet claims he reviled her to test her power; his face shows conflicted pride and dawning realization.
FAQs
Attempting to ‘test’ the Divine through disrespect is a form of aparādha; true understanding comes through devotion and humility.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the focus is on the ethics of devotion toward the Goddess.
No explicit ritual is stated; the verse implicitly contrasts irreverence with proper devotional conduct.