Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 2
धर्मराजेन सा दृष्टा वर्द्धनी च वराप्सरा । महत्यरण्ये का ह्येषा सुन्दरांग्यतिसुन्दरी
dharmarājena sā dṛṣṭā varddhanī ca varāpsarā | mahatyaraṇye kā hyeṣā sundarāṃgyatisundarī
தர்மராஜன் அவளைக் கண்டான்—வர்த்தனீ எனும் சிறந்த அப்சரஸை. அந்தப் பெருங்காட்டில் (அவன் எண்ணினான்)—‘யார் இவள், அழகிய அங்கங்களுடைய, மிக அழகியவள்?’
Narrator (contextual; following Vyāsa’s narration)
Tirtha: Dharmāraṇyaka (episode locale)
Type: kshetra
Scene: Dharmarāja in simple attire in a dense forest, turning toward a luminous apsaras named Varddhanī; her presence is otherworldly—silks, ornaments, and a faint celestial glow—contrasting with the wild terrain.
FAQs
Even exalted beings meet unexpected tests; discernment begins with inquiry rather than impulsive reaction.
The verse situates the event in a ‘great forest’ (araṇya) without naming a specific tīrtha in this line.
None; it is narrative setup.