Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 41
कस्मादिहागतः शक्र सुतलं प्रति कथ्यताम् । तस्यैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्मयमान उवाचतम्
kasmādihāgataḥ śakra sutalaṃ prati kathyatām | tasyaitadvacanaṃ śrutvā smayamāna uvācatam
“Atas sebab apakah engkau datang ke sini, wahai Śakra? Nyatakanlah—apakah yang membawa engkau menuju Sutala.” Mendengar kata-kata itu, Indra menjawab dengan senyuman tipis.
Bali (question), then Narrator introduces Indra’s reply
Tirtha: Kedāra-kṣetra (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A charged but controlled meeting: a powerful figure questions Indra about his purpose in approaching Sutala; Indra answers with a restrained smile, signaling diplomacy and hidden intent.
FAQs
Dharma begins with clarity: asking the purpose of a visit prevents needless conflict and supports right conduct.
No specific tīrtha is praised in this line; the place mentioned is Sutala (a nether realm), within a Kedārakhaṇḍa narrative frame.
None.