Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 21
श्रूयते येन विक्रम्य महेशानोऽपि निर्जितः । स्वर्लोकसंस्थितस्यास्य शरणं याहि स्तौषि च
śrūyate yena vikramya maheśāno'pi nirjitaḥ | svarlokasaṃsthitasyāsya śaraṇaṃ yāhi stauṣi ca
ਸੁਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਮਹਾਵਿਕਰਮ ਨਾਲ ਮਹੇਸ਼ਾਨ (ਸ਼ਿਵ) ਵੀ ਜਿੱਤ ਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ। ਇਸ ਲਈ ਜੋ ਸਵਰਗਲੋਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਲੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਸ্তুਤੀ ਵੀ ਕਰ।
Deducted (contextual): A Pāṇḍava addressing Yudhiṣṭhira
Listener: Yudhiṣṭhira (implied by nearby verses)
Scene: A celestial court scene: a speaker urges another to approach a radiant figure seated in Svarga, recalling a legendary ‘mighty stride’ that even Maheśāna could not surpass; hands folded in śaraṇāgati, attendants and devas witnessing.
FAQs
Seek śaraṇāgati (refuge) in the truly worthy and express reverent praise; greatness is recognized through sacred testimony (śruti/it is heard).
No particular tīrtha is named; the verse emphasizes refuge and praise rather than sacred geography.
No formal rite is stated; “stauṣi” implies devotional praise as a dhārmic act.