Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 122
ततो राजा मुनिश्चैव दारूण्याहृत्य पावकम् । प्रवेष्टुकामौ तौ दृष्ट्वा बको वचनमब्रवीत्
tato rājā muniścaiva dārūṇyāhṛtya pāvakam | praveṣṭukāmau tau dṛṣṭvā bako vacanamabravīt
Kemudian raja dan sang muni mengumpulkan kayu api lalu menyalakan unggun. Melihat kedua-duanya berhasrat memasuki api itu, Baka pun berkata demikian.
Sūta (narrator, implied continuation)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Śaunaka and other ṛṣis (implied)
Scene: A king and a sage gather dry wood, kindle a fire in a clearing; their faces show unwavering resolve. The bird Baka approaches, poised to speak and halt the act.
FAQs
Before irreversible actions are taken, dharmic intervention—timely speech and guidance—can redirect fate toward auspicious outcomes.
Not specified in this verse; it is part of the larger tīrtha-focused chapter narrative.
No prescribed rite; the act described is preparing a fire to enter, which is presented as a crisis point in the story.