Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 84
ब्राह्मणी विधवा काचित्पुरा ह्यासीच्च चंचला । श्वपचाभिरता सा च कामुकी कामहेतुतः
brāhmaṇī vidhavā kācitpurā hyāsīcca caṃcalā | śvapacābhiratā sā ca kāmukī kāmahetutaḥ
പുരാതനകാലത്ത് ഒരു ബ്രാഹ്മണീ വിധവ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു; സ്വഭാവത്തിൽ ചഞ്ചല. കാമഹേതുവാൽ അവൾ കാമിനിയായി ശ്വപചൻ (അന്ത്യജൻ)നോട് ആസക്തയായി.
Lomaharṣaṇa/Sūta (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative style)
Scene: Opening of a moral tale: a widow in simple garments stands at a crossroads, her face conflicted; in the shadows an outcaste man beckons; the background hints at a distant Śiva shrine and a lamp that will later symbolize redemption.
FAQs
Unchecked desire (kāma) destabilizes dharma and leads to degrading attachments.
The Kedāra region is the broader setting, where Śivarātri’s purifying power will be demonstrated.
None directly here; this verse sets up the exemplary story that will highlight Śivarātri’s merit.