Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 30
दूतं कलिंगदैत्याय त्यज त्वं त्रिदिवं द्रुतम् । स गत्वा बाष्कलिं दैत्यं सामपूर्वं वचोऽब्रवीत्
dūtaṃ kaliṃgadaityāya tyaja tvaṃ tridivaṃ drutam | sa gatvā bāṣkaliṃ daityaṃ sāmapūrvaṃ vaco'bravīt
ദേവി കലിംഗ ദാനവനോടു ദൂതനെ അയച്ചു—“നീ ഉടൻ ത്രിദിവം വിട്ടൊഴിയുക.” അവൻ ചെന്നു ബാഷ്കലി ദൈത്യനോടു ആദ്യം സാമപൂർവ്വം മധുരവചനങ്ങൾ പറഞ്ഞു.
Narrator (contextually Pulastya continuing the account)
Listener: King (pārthiva) within the story frame
Scene: A messenger is dispatched with the command to the Kaliṅga dānava; he approaches Bāṣkali and begins with conciliatory speech, hands folded, posture respectful yet firm.
FAQs
Dharma employs measured counsel before force; even divine correction begins with sāma (peaceful persuasion).
The setting remains within the Arbuda-khaṇḍa stream of sacred geography, but this verse highlights the heavenly dispute and the messenger’s mission.
None; the verse describes a diplomatic message and approach.