Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 14
देवास्तस्या भयान्नष्टा मर्त्येषु प्रतिमां गताः । भक्तानां मानसं भावं पूरयन्तः सुसंस्थिताः
devāstasyā bhayānnaṣṭā martyeṣu pratimāṃ gatāḥ | bhaktānāṃ mānasaṃ bhāvaṃ pūrayantaḥ susaṃsthitāḥ
Karena takut kepadanya, para dewa lenyap lalu masuk ke dalam arca di tengah manusia fana. Di sana mereka teguh bersemayam, memenuhi niat dan harapan terdalam para bhakta.
Narrator (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A sacred precinct where frightened devas ‘enter’ consecrated images among mortals; devotees stand with folded hands as the mūrtis radiate presence, suggesting the gods are firmly established and granting boons.
FAQs
Divine presence becomes stable and approachable through sacred forms, responding to sincere devotion.
No single tīrtha is named in the verse; it broadly supports tīrtha/temple devotion within the chapter’s māhātmya.
Implicit endorsement of pratimā worship: approaching the deity in icon-form with devotion so that one’s inner prayer is fulfilled.