Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 144
व्यर्थतां जग्मुरस्त्राणि देवानां दानवं प्रति । यथातिक्रूरचित्तानामार्ये कृत्यशतान्यपि
vyarthatāṃ jagmurastrāṇi devānāṃ dānavaṃ prati | yathātikrūracittānāmārye kṛtyaśatānyapi
தானவனுக்கு எதிராக தேவர்களின் அஸ்திரங்கள் வீணாயின; மிகக் கொடூர மனத்தவரிடத்தில் உயர்ந்தோரின் நூறு நற்காரியங்களும் பயனின்றிப் போவதுபோல்।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta), narrating to the sages (contextual attribution for Māheśvarakhaṇḍa)
Scene: Divine missiles dissolve or fall harmlessly, their radiance extinguished before reaching the dānava; the scene overlays a moral tableau—wise figures offering gifts/counsel to a hard-hearted man who turns away unmoved.
FAQs
Cruelty and entrenched adharma nullify even strong remedies; transformation requires higher grace and inner change.
None is mentioned in this verse.
None; it offers a moral analogy within the battle narrative.