Skanda Purana — Avanti Khanda, Shloka 27
तावन्ति वर्षाणि महानुभावः स्वर्गे वसेत्पुत्रपौत्रैश्च सार्द्धम् । तत्रान्नदो याति महेशलोकमसंख्यवर्षाणि न संशयोऽत्र
tāvanti varṣāṇi mahānubhāvaḥ svarge vasetputrapautraiśca sārddham | tatrānnado yāti maheśalokamasaṃkhyavarṣāṇi na saṃśayo'tra
ولمثل ذلك العدد من السنين يقيم الرجل الجليل في السماء مع أبنائه وأحفاده. وهناك، مانحُ الطعام يمضي إلى عالم ماهيشا لسنين لا تُحصى؛ لا شكّ في ذلك.
Mārkaṇḍeya (to Yudhiṣṭhira)
Tirtha: Revā-tīrtha (contextual)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Pāṇḍava (contextual)
Scene: Two-stage vision: first, the noble donor enjoys Svarga with descendants; then a transition to Maheśa-loka—Śiva’s radiant realm—where the anna-dātā is welcomed, with Śiva’s emblematic presence (trident, crescent, matted hair) and serene brilliance.
FAQs
Anna-dāna is exalted as a Śaiva merit that can elevate one beyond Svarga to Maheśa’s realm.
Within the Revā Khaṇḍa setting, the teaching frames charity as part of tīrtha-centered dharma connected to Śiva’s grace.
Anna-dāna—donation of food.