Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 144
विवर्धते कुले लक्ष्मीस्तस्य यः प्रपठेदिमम् । न राक्षसाः पिशाचा वा न भूतानि न चापदः
vivardhate kule lakṣmīstasya yaḥ prapaṭhedimam | na rākṣasāḥ piśācā vā na bhūtāni na cāpadaḥ
जो हा स्तव पठण करतो त्याच्या कुळात लक्ष्मी वाढते; त्याला राक्षस, पिशाच, भूतप्रेत किंवा आपत्ती बाधत नाहीत।
Skanda (deduced from Kaumārikākhaṇḍa context; narrative voice likely Sūta reporting)
Listener: A sage/devotee interlocutor (contextual)
Scene: A devotee recites a hymn in a lamp-lit household shrine; Lakṣmī’s auspicious presence is suggested by overflowing grain and lotus motifs, while shadowy rākṣasa/piśāca forms retreat beyond a protective aura.
FAQs
Sincere recitation of divine names is portrayed as both auspicious (śrī-vṛddhi) and protective (rakṣā) in worldly life.
No tīrtha is mentioned; the verse praises the protective power of the hymn itself.
Regular recitation (pāṭha) of the hymn for prosperity and protection.