Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 15
ततो बृहत्तनुः सोऽभूत्तेजसा द्योतयन्दिशः । ततो गणैः समं शर्वः सुराणां प्रददौ च तम् । यावत्तार कहंता वो भवेत्तावदयं प्रभुः
tato bṛhattanuḥ so'bhūttejasā dyotayandiśaḥ | tato gaṇaiḥ samaṃ śarvaḥ surāṇāṃ pradadau ca tam | yāvattāra kahaṃtā vo bhavettāvadayaṃ prabhuḥ
Lalu ia menjadi bertubuh maha-besar, menyinari segala penjuru dengan sinar tejas-nya. Kemudian Śarva, bersama para gaṇa, menyerahkannya kepada para dewa seraya berkata: “Selama pembunuh Tāraka belum terlahir, selama itu Tuhan ini akan menjadi pelindungmu.”
Narrator (Sūta) conveying Śiva’s act and assurance to the gods
Scene: A colossal, radiant deity expands in form, rays lighting all ten directions. Śarva (Śiva) stands with gaṇas, ceremonially presenting the protector to the assembled devas, who receive him with reverence; a distant ominous hint of Tāraka’s threat lingers.
FAQs
Divine order provides timely protectors: Gaṇeśa (Vighneśvara) safeguards the devas and dharma until the destined deliverer (Skanda) manifests.
No specific pilgrimage site is mentioned; the verse is mythic-cosmic narrative rather than sthala-māhātmya.
No explicit ritual is prescribed; it narrates Śiva’s delegation of authority and protection.