Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 127
पलायध्वमहो देवाः शक्तिश्चेद्वः पलायितुम् । विमूढा हि वयं सर्वे ये बालवचसागताः
palāyadhvamaho devāḥ śaktiścedvaḥ palāyitum | vimūḍhā hi vayaṃ sarve ye bālavacasāgatāḥ
“Larilah, wahai para dewa—jika kalian pun masih mampu lari! Sungguh kita semua telah terpedaya, karena datang ke sini menuruti kata seorang bocah.”
Viṣṇu (Hari) speaking to the Devas (from immediate context of v.126)
Scene: Hari, arm still raised, speaks sharply: devas scatter or hesitate, faces stricken; the battlefield behind them churns as Tāraka threatens; the line carries bitter irony and collective shame.
FAQs
Discernment (viveka) is essential—acting on immature counsel leads to collective confusion and loss of strength.
No site is mentioned; it is ethical counsel within the narrative.
None; the verse is admonitory speech.