Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 164
नार्युवाच । अहं शक्तिर्गुहाख्याता भूतलेषु सदा स्थिता । अनेन दैत्यराजेन महता तपसार्ज्जिता
nāryuvāca | ahaṃ śaktirguhākhyātā bhūtaleṣu sadā sthitā | anena daityarājena mahatā tapasārjjitā
സ്ത്രീ പറഞ്ഞു—“ഞാൻ ശക്തിയാണ്; ഭൂതലത്തിൽ സദാ നിലകൊള്ളുന്ന ‘ഗുഹശക്തി’ എന്ന പേരിൽ പ്രസിദ്ധ. ഈ ദൈത്യരാജൻ മഹത്തായ തപസ്സാൽ എന്നെ പ്രാപിച്ചു.”
The radiant woman (Śakti personified)
Listener: Bhārata addressee
Scene: The manifested woman speaks calmly, identifying herself as ‘Śakti known as Guha’s Power’, rooted on earth; she gestures toward Tāraka to indicate she was gained by his great tapas, while Skanda listens with composed authority.
FAQs
Tapas can generate immense power, but power must be aligned with dharma; otherwise it becomes unstable and will not remain.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse emphasizes the cosmic principle of śakti and the fruit of austerity.
Tapas (austerity) is referenced as a means of attainment, but no specific vrata, dāna, or snāna is prescribed.