Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 1
ऋषय ऊचुः । प्रभूतानि त्वयोक्तानि व्रतानि नियमास्तथा । प्रसुप्ते पुंडरीकाक्षे येषां संख्या न विद्यते
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | prabhūtāni tvayoktāni vratāni niyamāstathā | prasupte puṃḍarīkākṣe yeṣāṃ saṃkhyā na vidyate
ரிஷிகள் கூறினர்—ஹே சூதரே! நீங்கள் பல விரதங்களையும் நியமங்களையும் உரைத்தீர்கள்; புண்டரீகாக்ஷன் எனும் ஆண்டவன் யோகநித்திரையில் பள்ளியிருக்கும் காலத்தில் அவற்றின் எண்ணிக்கை கணிக்க இயலாதது।
Ṛṣis (sages)
Tirtha: Cāturmāsya (temporal tīrtha)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis/brāhmaṇas
Scene: A circle of sages respectfully questioning the narrator about countless vows observed during the lotus-eyed Lord’s cosmic sleep; imagery hints at Viṣṇu reclining on Śeṣa in the background as a symbolic overlay.
FAQs
Dharma is supported by regulated vows and disciplines, especially in sacred seasonal windows like Cāturmāsya, approached through humble inquiry.
No particular tirtha is specified in this opening question; it transitions from site-māhātmya into vrata-focused instruction.
It references numerous vratas and niyamas observed during the period associated with Viṣṇu’s sacred sleep (commonly linked with Cāturmāsya).