Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 22
द्वारपालास्तत्र नित्यं चत्वारस्तु शमादयः । त एव प्रथमं सेव्या मनुजैर्माक्षदायकाः
dvārapālāstatra nityaṃ catvārastu śamādayaḥ | ta eva prathamaṃ sevyā manujairmākṣadāyakāḥ
Di sana, para penjaga gerbang yang senantiasa hadir ada empat—bermula dari śama (ketenteraman batin) dan seterusnya. Mereka patut dilayani terlebih dahulu oleh manusia, sebab merekalah pemberi buah (pembebasan).
Skanda (deduced from Nāgarakhaṇḍa Tīrthamāhātmya didactic narration)
Type: kshetra
Scene: At four gates of the Mokṣa-city stand personified gatekeepers: Śama (calm), Viveka/Sadvicāra (discernment), Santoṣa (contentment), Sādhu-saṅga (holy company), receiving respectful service from seekers.
FAQs
Liberation is ‘entered’ through foundational virtues; inner discipline must be practiced before higher realizations.
No specific tirtha is named; the verse provides the ethical framework that empowers pilgrimage and dharma.
A prescription of practice: cultivate and ‘serve’ virtues such as śama (and the other implied gatekeepers).