Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 80
विषकन्योवाच । भर्तुरर्थे मया देवि कृतोऽयं तपौद्यमः । तत्किं तेन करिष्यामि सांप्रतं जरयावृता
viṣakanyovāca | bharturarthe mayā devi kṛto'yaṃ tapaudyamaḥ | tatkiṃ tena kariṣyāmi sāṃprataṃ jarayāvṛtā
വിഷകന്യ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ ദേവീ! ഭർത്താവിന്റെ ഹിതത്തിനായി ഞാൻ ഈ തപസ്സിന്റെ ഉദ്യമം ആരംഭിച്ചു; ഇപ്പോൾ ജരയാൽ മൂടപ്പെട്ട ഞാൻ ഇതുകൊണ്ട് എന്തു ചെയ്യും?
Viṣakanyā
Type: kshetra
Scene: An aged Viṣakanyā, austere and weary, speaks to the Goddess in a forest āśrama; her posture conveys surrender and uncertainty, with ascetic implements and a quiet hermitage backdrop.
FAQs
Even sincere austerity can lead to doubt when life changes; the Purāṇic path brings such concerns before the Divine for resolution.
The question is asked within the sacred āśrama/tīrtha narrative of Nāgarakhaṇḍa, implying the place as a refuge for devotees seeking guidance.
Tapas (austerity) undertaken with a specific intention (for the husband’s welfare).