Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 73
एषा तृप्यति भक्तानां प्रणामेनापि भारत । अर्बुदानां च कोटीभिर्दैत्यानां पापकर्मिणाम्
eṣā tṛpyati bhaktānāṃ praṇāmenāpi bhārata | arbudānāṃ ca koṭībhirdaityānāṃ pāpakarmiṇām
اے بھارت! وہ بھکت کے ایک ہی سجدۂ تعظیم سے راضی ہو جاتی ہے؛ مگر گناہگار دیتیوں کے اربوں کروڑوں سے بھی (راضی نہیں ہوتی)۔
Lomaharṣaṇa Sūta (deduced: Māheśvarakhaṇḍa narrative voice)
Listener: Bhārata (addressed)
Scene: A lone devotee performs a full prostration before an awe-inspiring Devī, while in the background countless asuras with proud faces fail to please her; the contrast highlights humility versus arrogance.
FAQs
Sincere bhakti—even a simple praṇāma—outweighs vast but adharmic power or numbers.
Indirectly supports the chapter’s sacred-place praise by defining the Devī’s grace; the site is tied to her presence in the surrounding tīrtha narrative.
Praṇāma (devotional prostration/salutation) is highlighted as an effective act of worship.