Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 41
मांसप्रियमुखाश्चैत ऐशानीं पांति वै दिशम् । सहस्रशीर्षको देवः शेषो नागस्थलस्थितः । अनन्तो वासुकिश्चैव तक्षकः पद्म एव च
māṃsapriyamukhāścaita aiśānīṃ pāṃti vai diśam | sahasraśīrṣako devaḥ śeṣo nāgasthalasthitaḥ | ananto vāsukiścaiva takṣakaḥ padma eva ca
Para penjaga ini—berwajah garang dan menyukai daging—sungguh melindungi penjuru Īśānī (timur laut). Dewa Śeṣa yang berseribu kepala bersemayam di Nāgasthala; serta Ananta, Vāsuki, Takṣaka, dan Padma.
Skanda (deduced)
Tirtha: Nāgasthala (Aiśānī-diśā protection)
Type: kshetra
Scene: In the northeastern quarter, fierce guardians stand with wild expressions, while behind them rises the awe-inspiring thousand-hooded Śeṣa at Nāgasthala, accompanied by Ananta, Vāsuki, Takṣaka, and Padma—serpent-kings forming a radiant canopy over the sacred spot.
FAQs
Even fierce beings are integrated into the sacred order: they protect the holy direction and uphold the sanctity of the tīrtha under divine oversight.
Nāgasthala within Dvārakā, presented as the seat of Śeṣa and other prominent nāgas.
No detailed rite is stated, but the verse supports directional and nāga-associated veneration as part of kṣetra-pūjā.