Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 4
अथ यः कुरुते धर्मं होमं वा जपमेव वा । सुगुप्तस्थानमासाद्य करोत्यमरतुष्टये
atha yaḥ kurute dharmaṃ homaṃ vā japameva vā | suguptasthānamāsādya karotyamaratuṣṭaye
اور جو کوئی پھر بھی دھرم کا کام کرتا—چاہے ہوم ہو یا جپ—وہ کسی خوب چھپی ہوئی جگہ پہنچ کر، امر دیوتاؤں کی خوشنودی کے لیے ہی کرتا تھا۔
Sūta (continuing narration)
Tirtha: Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra (frame) / Sugupta-sthāna (motif)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣis of Naimiṣāraṇya (implied)
Scene: A lone devotee or small group in a concealed grove/cave, performing a modest homa with a tiny flame and counting a mala for japa; above them, faint luminous silhouettes of devas receiving satisfaction, while daitya patrols pass at a distance unaware.
FAQs
Even in oppressive times, dharma survives through steadfast, discreet devotion; inner fidelity preserves sacred order.
No single tīrtha is named in this verse; it emphasizes protected spaces for worship within the broader Hāṭakeśvara-kṣetra Māhātmya context.
Homa and japa are recommended as acts done to please the devas, here performed in a safeguarded/hidden location.