Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 23
तपो जुषाणः सहसा महात्मा हिमालयस्याग्रगतस्तथैव । गणैर्वृतो वीरभद्रप्रधानैः स केवलो मूलविद्याविहीनः
tapo juṣāṇaḥ sahasā mahātmā himālayasyāgragatastathaiva | gaṇairvṛto vīrabhadrapradhānaiḥ sa kevalo mūlavidyāvihīnaḥ
Deleitando-se na austeridade, esse grande-souled avançou depressa até a dianteira do Himalaia. Cercado por gaṇas sob a liderança de Vīrabhadra, permanecia contudo só—como se privado da Vidyā primordial (isto é, sem Śakti).
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa)
Tirtha: Kedāra-Himālaya region (implied)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis/Brāhmaṇas (address implied by surrounding verses)
Scene: A great ascetic figure strides swiftly to the Himalayan forefront; snow peaks and cedar forests; a ring of fierce yet devotional gaṇas surrounds him, with Vīrabhadra prominent; despite the entourage, the central figure appears inwardly solitary, suggesting separation from Śakti/primordial vidyā.
FAQs
Tapas becomes the bridge from loss to restoration—spiritual discipline prepares the return of divine fullness (Śiva’s union with Śakti).
The Himalaya—central to Kedārakhaṇḍa’s sacred geography—is highlighted as the arena of Śiva’s austerity.
Tapas is extolled generally; no specific vrata, dāna, or snāna rule is stated in this verse.