Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 73
एषा तृप्यति भक्तानां प्रणामेनापि भारत । अर्बुदानां च कोटीभिर्दैत्यानां पापकर्मिणाम्
eṣā tṛpyati bhaktānāṃ praṇāmenāpi bhārata | arbudānāṃ ca koṭībhirdaityānāṃ pāpakarmiṇām
ഹേ ഭാരതാ! ഭക്തന്റെ ഒരു പ്രണാമമാത്രത്താലും അവൾ തൃപ്തയാകുന്നു; എന്നാൽ പാപകർമ്മികളായ ദൈത്യരുടെ അർബുദ-കോടികളാലും തൃപ്തയാകുന്നില്ല।
Lomaharṣaṇa Sūta (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative voice)
Listener: Bhārata (addressed)
Scene: A lone devotee performs a full prostration before an awe-inspiring Devī, while in the background countless asuras with proud faces fail to please her; the contrast highlights humility versus arrogance.
FAQs
Sincere bhakti—even a simple praṇāma—outweighs vast but adharmic power or numbers.
Indirectly supports the chapter’s sacred-place praise by defining the Devī’s grace; the site is tied to her presence in the surrounding tīrtha narrative.
Praṇāma (devotional prostration/salutation) is highlighted as an effective act of worship.