Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 20
धर्मारण्यस्य क्षेत्रस्य विद्धि मामधिदेवताम् । वर्षाणि द्वादशेहैव जातानि दुःखि तास्म्यहम्
dharmāraṇyasya kṣetrasya viddhi māmadhidevatām | varṣāṇi dvādaśehaiva jātāni duḥkhi tāsmyaham
Ketahuilah aku sebagai adhi-devatā, dewa penaung bagi kṣetra suci Dharmāraṇya. Di sini genap dua belas tahun aku berada dalam kedukaan.
Dharmāraṇya-kṣetra Adhidevatā (the presiding deity of Dharmāraṇya)
Tirtha: Dharmāraṇya
Type: kshetra
Scene: The presiding deity of Dharmāraṇya reveals identity and duration of suffering—twelve years—standing amid a quiet, under-attended sacred landscape.
FAQs
A kṣetra is not merely land—its presiding divinity safeguards dharma and laments prolonged disruption.
Dharmāraṇya-kṣetra, explicitly named and personified through its adhidevatā.
None; the verse establishes authority (adhidevatā) and the duration of distress.