Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 20
चण्डिका च तथा देवी ह्यूर्द्ध्वबाहुश्च राक्षसः । पद्माक्षः क्षेत्रपालश्च नागश्चाश्वतरस्तथा
caṇḍikā ca tathā devī hyūrddhvabāhuśca rākṣasaḥ | padmākṣaḥ kṣetrapālaśca nāgaścāśvatarastathā
نیز دیوی چنڈیکا؛ اور اُوردھوباہو نامی راکشس؛ پدماکش اور کشتراپال؛ اسی طرح ناگ اور اشوتر—یہ سب بھی محافظ بن کر کھڑے ہیں۔
Skanda (deduced from Dvārakā Māhātmya narrative style within Skanda Purāṇa)
Tirtha: Dvārakā (guardian circuit)
Type: kshetra
Scene: A fierce yet auspicious tableau: Caṇḍikā with weapons and lion aura; Ūrddhvabāhu rākṣasa towering with raised arms; Padmākṣa and Kṣetrapāla as vigilant sentinels; Nāga and Aśvatara as serpentine/horse-like guardian presences near the gate foundations.
FAQs
A sacred city is protected by a multi-layered spiritual ecology—Deity, kṣetrapāla, and powerful beings together sustain its holiness.
Dvārakā and its sacred precinct (kṣetra) safeguarded by kṣetrapālas and divine forces.
No procedural rite; the mention of Kṣetrapāla supports the common Purāṇic practice of honoring the guardian before entering/performing worship.