Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 161
यत्ते सुनिष्ठुरत्वं च धर्मे देवेषु गोषु च । तस्य ते प्रहराम्यद्य स्मर शस्त्रं सुशिक्षितम्
yatte suniṣṭhuratvaṃ ca dharme deveṣu goṣu ca | tasya te praharāmyadya smara śastraṃ suśikṣitam
यत्ते सुनिष्ठुरत्वं धर्मे देवेषु गोषु च, तस्य तेऽद्य प्रहरामि; स्मर शस्त्रं सुशिक्षितम्॥
Mahāsena (Skanda) (implied continuation of direct speech)
Listener: Bhārata addressee
Scene: Skanda’s face hardens into righteous anger; he points or raises his weapon, declaring punishment for cruelty to dharma, gods, and cows; Tāraka is urged to remember his arms as the divine strike approaches.
FAQs
Cruelty toward dharma, the divine, and the innocent (symbolized by cows) invites decisive divine justice.
No specific tīrtha is referenced in this verse.
None; the verse emphasizes ethical duty—especially protection of dharma and non-violence toward the protected.