Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 41
ऋषय ऊचुः । मंत्रजाप्यस्य माहात्म्यं यत्त्वया नः प्रकीर्तितम् । तत्कथं सिद्धिमायाति मंत्रजाप्यं हि सूतज
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | maṃtrajāpyasya māhātmyaṃ yattvayā naḥ prakīrtitam | tatkathaṃ siddhimāyāti maṃtrajāpyaṃ hi sūtaja
เหล่าฤษีกล่าวว่า: โอ บุตรแห่งสูตะ ท่านได้ประกาศแก่เราถึงมหิมาแห่งการสวดภาวนามนตร์แล้ว; แต่การจปมนตร์ย่อมบรรลุสิทธิได้อย่างไรเล่า?
Ṛṣis
Listener: Ṛṣis
Scene: An assembly of sages seated in a forest hermitage, respectfully questioning Sūta; palm-leaf manuscripts, sacrificial fire nearby; the mood is inquisitive and scholarly.
FAQs
It models the Purāṇic method of learning: inquiry (praśna) precedes clear instruction on practice and attainment.
The conversation continues within the chapter praising a tīrtha/pīṭha; this verse itself is a doctrinal question rather than a site-description.
No direct prescription; it asks for the method by which mantra-japa becomes siddha (accomplished).