Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 20
क्षीणदेहस्तु तिष्ठामि ह्यशक्तोऽहं महाव्रते । तेन शोचामि चात्मानं रहस्यं कथितं मया
kṣīṇadehastu tiṣṭhāmi hyaśakto'haṃ mahāvrate | tena śocāmi cātmānaṃ rahasyaṃ kathitaṃ mayā
جسم کمزور ہو چکا ہے، پھر بھی میں کھڑا ہوں؛ اس مہاورت میں میں بے بس ہوں۔ اسی لیے میں اپنے لیے غم کرتا ہوں—یہ راز میں نے تم سے کہہ دیا ہے۔
Atri
Tirtha: Revā (Narmadā)
Type: river
Listener: Anasūyā (implied by immediate next verse)
Scene: An ascetic or vow-keeper stands weakened, body emaciated, leaning slightly, confessing a secret with downcast eyes; a quiet hermitage by a sacred river is implied.
FAQs
Even great ascetic effort meets human limits; acknowledging weakness truthfully becomes the doorway to wiser dharmic guidance.
No holy site is mentioned in this verse.
No new prescription is given; it references ongoing mahāvrata (a major vow/observance).