Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 14
देवि कोऽपि युवा श्रीमांस्त्रैलोक्येष्वमितप्रभः । कामातिथिस्तव द्वारि वर्तते दिश तत्परम्
devi ko'pi yuvā śrīmāṃstrailokyeṣvamitaprabhaḥ | kāmātithistava dvāri vartate diśa tatparam
தேவி! மூவுலகிலும் அளவிலாத ஒளியுடைய ஒரு செல்வமிகு இளைஞன் ‘காம-அதிதி’யாக உன் வாசலில் நிற்கிறான்; என்ன செய்ய வேண்டும், ஆணையிடு।
niśācarī (the maidservant/night-roaming attendant)
Scene: The maidservant addresses Maurvī: a splendid young man of immeasurable radiance stands at the door as a ‘guest of desire’, awaiting command; the contrast of awe and erotic implication is central.
FAQs
It contrasts dharmic hospitality with desire’s intrusion—how kāma can masquerade as rightful approach.
None; the verse is set in a palace narrative context.
No explicit ritual; it alludes to receiving a guest, which is part of general dharma.