Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 14
किमर्थं ब्रूत वर्ज्यंते सदैव ब्रह्मवादिभिः । तापसा ऊचुः । ग्राहः पंच वसंत्येषु हरंति च तपोधनान्
kimarthaṃ brūta varjyaṃte sadaiva brahmavādibhiḥ | tāpasā ūcuḥ | grāhaḥ paṃca vasaṃtyeṣu haraṃti ca tapodhanān
“为何请告诉我：为何阐说梵（Brahman）之理者总是避开这些？” 苦行者答曰：“其中住有五条鳄鱼，常夺走那些以苦行为财的修行人。”
Tāpasas (ascetics), replying to the Kuru hero
Tirtha: Five tīrthas (each with a resident crocodile)
Type: kund
Scene: Ascetics explain to the pilgrim while pointing to five pools; beneath each surface a crocodile silhouette lurks; the contrast between serene holy water and sudden danger is central.
FAQs
Sacred waters can be simultaneously holy and perilous; dharma requires humility, caution, and respect for the forces guarding tīrthas.
The five tīrthas in the southern ocean region, noted for their power yet feared due to resident grāhas.
No new rite is prescribed; the verse provides a cautionary reason affecting the practice of snāna at these tīrthas.