Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 20
क्षीणदेहस्तु तिष्ठामि ह्यशक्तोऽहं महाव्रते । तेन शोचामि चात्मानं रहस्यं कथितं मया
kṣīṇadehastu tiṣṭhāmi hyaśakto'haṃ mahāvrate | tena śocāmi cātmānaṃ rahasyaṃ kathitaṃ mayā
உடல் சோர்ந்திருந்தாலும் நான் நின்றிருக்கிறேன்; இந்த மகாவிரதத்தில் நான் ஆற்றலற்றவன். ஆகவே என்னையே நினைந்து வருந்துகிறேன்—இந்த இரகசியத்தை உனக்குச் சொன்னேன்.
Atri
Tirtha: Revā (Narmadā)
Type: river
Listener: Anasūyā (implied by immediate next verse)
Scene: An ascetic or vow-keeper stands weakened, body emaciated, leaning slightly, confessing a secret with downcast eyes; a quiet hermitage by a sacred river is implied.
FAQs
Even great ascetic effort meets human limits; acknowledging weakness truthfully becomes the doorway to wiser dharmic guidance.
No holy site is mentioned in this verse.
No new prescription is given; it references ongoing mahāvrata (a major vow/observance).