Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 32
तदहं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि कीदृशोऽस्याः पतिर्भवेत् । श्रुत्वेति सस्मितमुखः प्रावोचं नर्मवल्लभः
tadahaṃ jñātumicchāmi kīdṛśo'syāḥ patirbhavet | śrutveti sasmitamukhaḥ prāvocaṃ narmavallabhaḥ
“ஆகையால் நான் அறிய விரும்புகிறேன்—அவளுக்குப் பெறும் கணவன் எத்தகையவன்?” என்று கேட்டவுடன், நான் புன்னகை முகத்துடன், விளையாட்டும் மென்மையும் கலந்த சொற்களால் பதிலுரைத்தேன்।
Narrator/Seer figure (responding to the queen’s question)
Listener: Himācala (Himavat) and household (implied)
Scene: A refined courtly moment in Himavat’s abode: a lady asks about a future husband; the narrator answers with a soft smile, speaking playfully yet knowingly.
FAQs
Human curiosity about destiny is natural, but Purāṇic narration frames it within respectful inquiry and measured speech.
No tīrtha is mentioned; this is a narrative exchange about destiny and marriage.
None; the verse is purely conversational.