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
దేవీ! త్రిలోకములలో అపార తేజస్సు గల ఒక శ్రీమంత యువకుడు ‘కామాతిథి’గా నీ ద్వారమున నిలిచియున్నాడు; ఏమి చేయవలెనో ఆజ్ఞాపించు।
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.