Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 45
लोमहर्षण उवाच । मंत्राणां साधनं कष्टं सर्वेषामपि सन्मुने । प्रत्यवायसमोपेतं बहुच्छिद्रसमाकुलम्
lomaharṣaṇa uvāca | maṃtrāṇāṃ sādhanaṃ kaṣṭaṃ sarveṣāmapi sanmune | pratyavāyasamopetaṃ bahucchidrasamākulam
Lomaharṣaṇa berkata: “Wahai resi mulia, amalan menyempurnakan mantra itu sukar bagi semua. Ia disertai bahaya akibat yang berlawanan, dan dipenuhi banyak celah serta perangkap.”
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta)
Listener: Durvāsas
Scene: Lomaharṣaṇa speaks gravely to Durvāsas, warning that mantra practice is difficult and full of pitfalls; the atmosphere is sober, with the firelight casting long shadows, emphasizing caution.
FAQs
Mantra-sādhana demands care and purity because errors can produce obstacles (pratyavāya).
Not yet named here; the narrative is preparing to recommend a specific kṣetra for safe and swift siddhi.
No numeric rite is given; the verse frames the need for a reliable, protected method and place.