Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 93
सुरासुरनराः सर्वे तस्या रूपेण मोहिताः । बहुधा प्रार्थयंत्येनां न सा वरमभीप्सति
surāsuranarāḥ sarve tasyā rūpeṇa mohitāḥ | bahudhā prārthayaṃtyenāṃ na sā varamabhīpsati
தேவர்கள், அசுரர்கள், மனிதர்கள்—அனைவரும் அவளது அழகால் மயங்கினர். பலமுறை வேண்டினார்கள்; ஆனால் அவள் அவர்களிடமிருந்து எந்த வரத்தையும் விரும்பவில்லை.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narration style)
Tirtha: Saṅgama (implied)
Type: sangam
Scene: A crowd of gods, demons, and men—each splendid in their own style—stand captivated, offering requests and boons; she remains composed, refusing with serene firmness.
FAQs
True spiritual resolve is not swayed by attraction or worldly offers; steadfastness supports higher dharma and tapas.
The verse sets the narrative context for the Barkareśa Śiva-sthāna that is established shortly after; the site’s māhātmya unfolds in subsequent verses.
No explicit rite is prescribed here; it emphasizes inner discipline (vairāgya) as preparation for tapas and sacred establishment.