Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 8
ततस्तस्य समादेशाद्गायत्री गोपकन्यका । शक्रेण च समानीता दिव्यलक्षणलक्षिता
tatastasya samādeśādgāyatrī gopakanyakā | śakreṇa ca samānītā divyalakṣaṇalakṣitā
Kemudian, menurut titah baginda, Gāyatrī—menjelma sebagai gadis penggembala lembu—dibawa oleh Śakra (Indra), bertanda dengan ciri-ciri ilahi yang mulia.
Narrator (contextual Purāṇic voice; likely Sūta-style narration within Māhātmya)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Brāhmaṇas/Ṛṣis (implied)
Scene: Indra escorts Gāyatrī in the form of a radiant cowherd maiden toward the sacrificial arena; despite pastoral attire, she bears divine marks—halo, lotus motifs, luminous gaze—signaling her true nature.
FAQs
Divine powers may assume humble forms to uphold a rite, indicating that sacred purpose can work through unexpected appearances.
The verse is part of the chapter’s tīrtha narrative build-up; the place-glory is developed through the ensuing account.
No explicit prescription; it narrates the procurement of a yajña-consort to proceed with the rite.