Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 37
एतत्कार्यं मदनेनैव राजन्नान्यः समर्थो भविता त्रिलोके । विप्लावितं तापसानां तपो हि तस्मात्त्वरात्प्रार्थनीयो हि मारः
etatkāryaṃ madanenaiva rājannānyaḥ samartho bhavitā triloke | viplāvitaṃ tāpasānāṃ tapo hi tasmāttvarātprārthanīyo hi māraḥ
“हे राजन्, हे कार्य केवळ मदनानेच साध्य होईल; त्रिलोकी दुसरा कोणी समर्थ नाही. तो तपस्व्यांचे तपही विचलित करतो, म्हणून मारा (कामदेव) यास त्वरित प्रार्थून बोलवावे।”
Bṛhaspati
Tirtha: Kedāra (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis/audience
Scene: Bṛhaspati explains to Indra that only Madana can accomplish the task; imagery contrasts blazing ascetic fires with the subtle arrival of spring-like desire.
FAQs
Desire can destabilize even severe austerity; hence spiritual discipline requires vigilance and higher discernment.
The verse occurs within Kedāra Khaṇḍa’s sacred narrative frame, not as a direct tīrtha-glorification passage.
A practical instruction is given: to invoke/appeal to Madana (Kāma) promptly for the intended divine purpose.