Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 163
तेजसा भासयंती तमध ऊर्ध्वं दिशो दश । दृष्ट्वा नारीं गुहः प्राह कासि कस्माच्च निर्गता
tejasā bhāsayaṃtī tamadha ūrdhvaṃ diśo daśa | dṛṣṭvā nārīṃ guhaḥ prāha kāsi kasmācca nirgatā
தன் ஒளியால் மேல்கீழ் பத்து திசைகளையும் பிரகாசப்படுத்தி அந்தப் பெண் தோன்றினாள். அவளைப் பார்த்த குகன் கூறினான்—“நீ யார்? எங்கிருந்து வெளிவந்தாய்?”
Narrator (within Māheśvarakhaṇḍa frame), reporting Guha’s words
Listener: Bhārata addressee
Scene: A radiant woman stands newly manifested, her light flooding all ten directions; Skanda turns toward her, spear lowered slightly, and questions her identity and origin with alert reverence.
FAQs
Divine power (śakti) is self-revealing and unmistakable; the righteous hero recognizes and inquires into its origin and purpose.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it is a narrative moment within the Kaumārikākhaṇḍa focusing on Skanda’s dharmic combat.
None in this shloka; it introduces a dialogue and the manifestation of Śakti.