Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 2
समस्तेभ्यस्ततोऽदूरान्मुनयः शंसितव्रताः । संश्रयंति ततो भूपास्तपोऽर्थं जरयाऽन्विताः
samastebhyastato'dūrānmunayaḥ śaṃsitavratāḥ | saṃśrayaṃti tato bhūpāstapo'rthaṃ jarayā'nvitāḥ
அவற்றிலிருந்து அதிகத் தொலைவில் அல்லாமல், புகழப்பட்ட விரதமுடைய முனிவர்கள் தங்குகின்றனர்; அங்கேயே முதுமையால் சோர்ந்த அரசர்களும் தவத்திற்காகத் தஞ்சமடைகின்றனர்।
Sūta
Type: kshetra
Listener: dvija-uttamāḥ
Scene: An āśrama settlement near a tīrtha: huts under trees, sages performing agnihotra and japa; an aged king arrives with minimal retinue, laying aside royal insignia, bowing to ascetics; the tīrtha water glints nearby.
FAQs
A true kṣetra attracts both renunciants and rulers, guiding them toward tapas and inner purification.
The famed kṣetra (linked to Hāṭakeśvara and its tīrthas) is portrayed as a natural refuge for sages and aging kings.
Tapas (austerity) is highlighted as the purpose for which kings and sages resort there.