Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 67
न हिंसया विनाऽस्माकं यतः स्यात्प्राणधारणम् । तस्माद्ब्रूहि महाभागे किञ्चिन्मम सुखावहम् । उपदेशं सुधर्माय हिंसकस्यापि देहिनाम्
na hiṃsayā vinā'smākaṃ yataḥ syātprāṇadhāraṇam | tasmādbrūhi mahābhāge kiñcinmama sukhāvaham | upadeśaṃ sudharmāya hiṃsakasyāpi dehinām
Tanpa kekerasan, kelangsungan hidup kami tidak dapat dipertahankan. Maka, wahai wanita yang amat mulia, katakanlah sesuatu yang membawa kesejahteraan bagiku—suatu ajaran menuju Dharma sejati, bahkan bagi makhluk berjasad yang bersifat ganas.
Vyāghra (the tiger)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A tiger, troubled by the paradox of survival through violence, addresses a compassionate cow (Nandinī) in a forest setting, seeking a dharmic instruction that can still bring well-being.
FAQs
Even those trapped in harmful conduct can seek guidance, and Dharma provides remedial paths suited to one’s condition.
The narrative is steering toward a particular forest Liṅga whose darśana and circumambulation grant release.
No ritual yet; it is a request for upadeśa (instruction) and a workable dharmic remedy.