Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 13
स्वर्गे मर्त्ये च पाताले न दृष्टं न च मे श्रुतम् । तादृग्रूपमहं येन कामबाणवशीकृतः
svarge martye ca pātāle na dṛṣṭaṃ na ca me śrutam | tādṛgrūpamahaṃ yena kāmabāṇavaśīkṛtaḥ
स्वर्गात, मर्त्यात वा पाताळात— असे रूप मी ना पाहिले, ना ऐकले; त्या रूपानेच मी कामदेवाच्या बाणाने वशीभूत झालो आहे।
Nārada (continuing his report, emphasizing the maiden’s extraordinary beauty)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra (implicit locus of ensuing encounter)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Mahiṣa (or the asura) speaks in awe and agitation, describing a beauty beyond the three worlds; a subtle, symbolic Cupid-arrow motif pierces his composure.
FAQs
Even exalted beings can be shaken by desire; the dharmic path demands vigilance and discrimination (viveka).
Prabhāsa-kṣetra provides the sacred narrative frame where such trials and teachings are unfolded.
None; the verse describes the overpowering force of kāma as a narrative driver.