Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 63
वह्नेरिव प्रभां दीप्तां पतंगानां समुच्चयः । एवमेतादृशीं मौर्वीं जेतुमुत्सहते यदि
vahneriva prabhāṃ dīptāṃ pataṃgānāṃ samuccayaḥ | evametādṛśīṃ maurvīṃ jetumutsahate yadi
Seperti kawanan ngengat yang menyangka dapat menaklukkan nyala cahaya api yang berkobar, demikianlah keberanian orang yang hendak mengalahkan Maurvī yang dahsyat itu.
Narrative voice (context unclear in snippet; likely Sūta/Lomaharṣaṇa in Māheśvarakhaṇḍa frame)
Scene: A vivid metaphor scene: moths swarming toward a roaring flame, their wings singeing; intercut or symbolically aligned with the radiant, unconquerable Maurvī figure whose aura is like fire.
FAQs
Do not rush into battles or goals that exceed one’s capacity; discernment is part of dharma.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it functions as a moral analogy within the narrative.
None; the verse teaches practical wisdom through metaphor.