Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 197
उलूक उवाच । एष मे परमं मित्रं नाडीजंघो बकः स्मृतः । एतस्यापि तु मार्कण्डः संस्थितः परमः सुहृत्
ulūka uvāca | eṣa me paramaṃ mitraṃ nāḍījaṃgho bakaḥ smṛtaḥ | etasyāpi tu mārkaṇḍaḥ saṃsthitaḥ paramaḥ suhṛt
Ulūka berkata: “Inilah sahabatku yang paling dikasihi, dikenali sebagai Nāḍījaṅgha, si bangau. Dan baginya juga, Mārkaṇḍa berdiri sebagai sahabat karib, seorang yang paling tulus berbuat baik.”
Ulūka
Scene: A nocturnal grove near a sacred waterbody: an owl (Ulūka) speaks earnestly, gesturing toward a tall crane (Nāḍījaṅgha). The atmosphere suggests a council of creatures preserving an ancient secret about a king and a vow.
FAQs
The righteous journey is supported by noble friendship and trustworthy companions who guide one toward dharma.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it contributes to the larger Tīrthamāhātmya pilgrimage narrative.
None; the verse is an introduction of companions and their bonds.