Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 4
यथा ते नैव मर्यादां संत्यजंति दुराशयाः । एतैस्तस्मात्समाक्रांतः शरण्यं पावकिं व्रजेत्
yathā te naiva maryādāṃ saṃtyajaṃti durāśayāḥ | etaistasmātsamākrāṃtaḥ śaraṇyaṃ pāvakiṃ vrajet
அந்த தீய மனத்தோர் தங்கள் எல்லையை ஒருபோதும் விட்டு விலகார்; ஆகையால் அவர்களால் பீடிக்கப்பட்டவன் காப்பளிக்கும் பாவகியைச் சரணடைய வேண்டும்।
Lomaharṣaṇa Sūta (deduced for Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration)
Scene: A devotee or afflicted person approaches Pāvaki in supplication; behind, shadowy beings linger at the edge of their domain, unable to cross the protective aura; the protector stands calm, granting shelter.
FAQs
When afflicted, turn to a recognized divine refuge rather than panic—dharma teaches shelter under higher guardianship.
No tīrtha is specified in this verse; the broader chapter later highlights the Mahī river’s greatness.
The instruction is devotional: ‘vrajet’—one should approach/seek refuge in Pāvaki; no detailed rite is described.